Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Apr 14 - St Benedict Joseph Labre ( 1) 1748-83
Benedict Joseph Labre is a rare example of what the Russians call a "yurodivy", a religious wanderer or "fool for Christ". Born in Boulogne, France, he lived most of his life as a beggar in Rome. He had the reputation that when he was in ecstasy he would levitate or bilocate and even had the ability to multiply bread. He is the patron saint of tramps and the homeless.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
A Failure at Monastic Life
Benedict Joseph Labre was born 26 March 1748 near Boulogne, in France, the eldest child of fifteen children of a prosperous shopkeeper. He was educated privately by his uncle, a parish priest, who died heroically, ministering to, and himself infected by the victims of a cholera epidemic. Benedict tried a number of monastic communities in France like the Carthusians, Trappists, and Cistercians, but each rejected him as being unsuitable.
A Pilgrim Beggar
After 1770, when he was twenty-two, he found his real vocation as a pilgrim-beggar - walking to shrines all over Europe. His only possessions, besides the clothes he wore, were two Rosaries, and three books: a New Testament, a Breviary, and The Imitation of Christ. He felt called to be a pilgrim to places of Christian devotion. He repeatedly made known his intention to experienced confessors, who gave their approval.
At the major shrines of Europe
Benedict first travelled on foot to Rome, living as a beggar and then to the major shrines of Europe - to Loreto, Assisi, Naples, and Bari in Italy, to Einsiedeln in Switzerland, to Aix-en-Provence and Paray-le-Monial in France, and to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. He lived on what he was given, and shared what he had with others. He rarely talked, prayed much, and quietly accepted any abuse given him.
In Rome
From 1774 Benedict settled in Rome (apart from an annual pilgrimage to Loreto), sleeping at night in the Colosseum, and spending his days in the churches, especially where there was the Forty Hours adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Santa Maria dei Monti became his favourite Roman church, and here he became devoted to a fresco of the Madonna and Child with Ss Stephen, Lawrence, Augustine and Francis. Toward the end of his life, when he became seriously ill, he did accept shelter sometimes at a hospice for poor men.
His death
On the Wednesday of Holy Week - 16 April 1783 - Benedict collapsed just outside Santa Maria dei Monti after attending Mass. A passer-by carried him to his house nearby. That evening after receiving the Anointing of the Sick, he died. He was thirty-five. A huge crowd thronged his funeral. He was buried under an altar in a chapel of Santa Maria dei Monti, where there is a life-size marble effigy.
Influence
Within a few months of his death, more than 136 miraculous cures ascribed to him were recorded by his spiritual director and biographer, Fr G L Marconi. An American Protestant clergyman, Rev. John Thayer, a native Bostonian, who was in Rome at the time of his funeral, converted to Catholicism and later became a priest and died in Limerick in 1815.
Beatified and Canonised
Benedict Joseph Labre was beatified in 1859 by Pope Pius IX and canonised by Pope Leo XIII, 8 December 1881. His feast is celebrated on 16th April.
Image
One portrait was made of him during his life. While the saint was in an ecstasy before an image of our Lady, he was painted by Antonio Cavallucci, and this portrait hangs in the National Gallery, Rome (Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica). (See nearest image above right.)
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Patrick Duffy tells his story.
A Failure at Monastic Life
Benedict Joseph Labre was born 26 March 1748 near Boulogne, in France, the eldest child of fifteen children of a prosperous shopkeeper. He was educated privately by his uncle, a parish priest, who died heroically, ministering to, and himself infected by the victims of a cholera epidemic. Benedict tried a number of monastic communities in France like the Carthusians, Trappists, and Cistercians, but each rejected him as being unsuitable.A Pilgrim Beggar
After 1770, when he was twenty-two, he found his real vocation as a pilgrim-beggar - walking to shrines all over Europe. His only possessions, besides the clothes he wore, were two Rosaries, and three books: a New Testament, a Breviary, and The Imitation of Christ. He felt called to be a pilgrim to places of Christian devotion. He repeatedly made known his intention to experienced confessors, who gave their approval.
At the major shrines of Europe
Benedict first travelled on foot to Rome, living as a beggar and then to the major shrines of Europe - to Loreto, Assisi, Naples, and Bari in Italy, to Einsiedeln in Switzerland, to Aix-en-Provence and Paray-le-Monial in France, and to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. He lived on what he was given, and shared what he had with others. He rarely talked, prayed much, and quietly accepted any abuse given him.In Rome
From 1774 Benedict settled in Rome (apart from an annual pilgrimage to Loreto), sleeping at night in the Colosseum, and spending his days in the churches, especially where there was the Forty Hours adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Santa Maria dei Monti became his favourite Roman church, and here he became devoted to a fresco of the Madonna and Child with Ss Stephen, Lawrence, Augustine and Francis. Toward the end of his life, when he became seriously ill, he did accept shelter sometimes at a hospice for poor men.
His death
On the Wednesday of Holy Week - 16 April 1783 - Benedict collapsed just outside Santa Maria dei Monti after attending Mass. A passer-by carried him to his house nearby. That evening after receiving the Anointing of the Sick, he died. He was thirty-five. A huge crowd thronged his funeral. He was buried under an altar in a chapel of Santa Maria dei Monti, where there is a life-size marble effigy.
Influence
Within a few months of his death, more than 136 miraculous cures ascribed to him were recorded by his spiritual director and biographer, Fr G L Marconi. An American Protestant clergyman, Rev. John Thayer, a native Bostonian, who was in Rome at the time of his funeral, converted to Catholicism and later became a priest and died in Limerick in 1815.Beatified and Canonised
Benedict Joseph Labre was beatified in 1859 by Pope Pius IX and canonised by Pope Leo XIII, 8 December 1881. His feast is celebrated on 16th April.
Image
One portrait was made of him during his life. While the saint was in an ecstasy before an image of our Lady, he was painted by Antonio Cavallucci, and this portrait hangs in the National Gallery, Rome (Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica). (See nearest image above right.)
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Memorable Saying for Today
“If you want to be perfect,
go, sell your possessions and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven.
~ Jesus in Matthew 19:21, ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Tuesday, 14th April, 2026
Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter
Jesus is the perfect revelation of God especially in his death and resurrection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 4:32-37
United, heart and soul.
The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common.The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and they were all given great respect.
None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any members who might be in need.
There was a Levite of Cypriot origin called Joseph whom the apostles surnamed Barnabas (which means 'son of encouragement'). He owned a piece of land and he sold it and brought the money, and presented it to the apostles.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 911-2, 5, R/ v.1
Response The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.
Or Alleluia!
1. The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed; the Lord has robed himself with might,
he has girded himself with power. Response
2. The world you made firm, not to be moved; your throne has stood firm from of old.
From all eternity, O Lord, you are. Response
3. Truly your decrees are to be trusted. Holiness is fitting to your house,
O Lord, until the end of time. Response
Gospel Acclamation Apoc 1: 5
Alleluia, Alleluia!
You, O Christ, are the faithful witness, the First-born from the dead;
you have loved us and have washed away our sins with your blood.
Alleluia!
or Jn 3: 15
Alleluia, Alleluia!
The Son of Man must be lifted up so that everyone who believes in him
may have eternal life.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 3:7-15 Glory to you, O Lord
No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
'Do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above. The wind blows wherever it pleases; you hear its sound, but you
cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit.''How can that be possible?' asked Nicodemus.
'You, a teacher in Israel, and you do not know these things!' replied Jesus. 'I tell you most solemnly, we speak only about what we know and witness only to what we have seen and yet you people reject our evidence.
If you do not believe me when I speak about things in this world, how are you going to believe me when I speak to you about heavenly things?
No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven; and the Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Tuesday Second Week of Easter John 3:7-15
The first reading gives us an insight into how the members of the early church looked out for one another. If a member of the community had more that was needed, it was presented to the Apostles who distributed it to those who were in greater need. As a result, none of the members of the community were ever in want. This tradition of sharing from our surplus to give to those in greater need has been an essential feature of the life of the church since its earliest beginnings. One expression of it today is the work of the Vincent de Paul Society. The monthly collection that is taken allows them to help people who find themselves in a once-off need or perhaps in a situation that requires a more sustained response. This is one manifestation of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church, what Saint Paul calls a fruit of the Spirit.
In the gospel reading, Jesus compares the Spirit to the wind. Just as we cannot see the wind as such but can experience its impact on ourselves, on others, on nature, so we cannot see the Holy Spirit directly, but we can see the impact of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the lives of others. Just as the wind blows wherever it pleases, so the Spirit works where it pleases. We will often see the impact of the Spirit in people and in places where we didn’t expect to find it. We can delight in wherever we happen to find the fruit of the Spirit. As people born of the Spirit through baptism, we have a special calling to allow the Spirit to blow through us and to shape what we say and do.
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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd. and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
The Scripture Reflection is made available with our thanks from his book Reflections on the Weekday Readings : The Word is near to you, on your lips and in your heart by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications , c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Liturgical Readings for: Tuesday, 14th April, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an céad Leabhar Gníomhartha na nAspal 4:32-37
Bhí siad ar aon aigne agus ar aon intinn le chéile.
Bhí buíon na gcreidmheach ar aon aigne agus ar aon intinn le chéile. Ní deireadh aon duine acu liom ná leat faoina chuid maoine mar bhí gach ní i bpáirt acu.
Bhí na haspail go lándícheallach ag tabhairt fianaise ar aiséirí Chríost agus bhí grásta Dé go fras orthu uile.Agus ní raibh duine ar bith acu ar an ngannchuid: iad siúd a raibh talamh nó tithe acu, dhíolaidís amach iad agus thugaidís suas a luach do na haspail agus roinntí amach ar chách é de réir mar bhíodh sé ina ghá.
Cuirim i gcás bhí gort ag Léivíteach ón gCipir darbh ainm Iósaef – Barnabas a thugadh na haspail air, ainm a chiallaíonn “Mac an tSóláis”. Dhíol sé an gort, rug leis an luach agus thug suas do na haspail é.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 91
Freagra Tá an Tiarna ina rí is é gléasta le glóir
Malairt freagra Alleluia!
1. Tá an Tiarna ina rí is é gléasta le glóir; chlúdaigh sé é féin le neart;
chrioslaigh sé é féin le cumhacht. Freagra
2. Bhunaigh sé an domhan go dobhogtha. Tá do chathaoir arna daingniú ó na cianta;
tá tú ann ón tsíoraíocht, a Thiarna. Freagra
3. Is dearfa go deimhin do reachtanna; is do do theachsa is cuí an naofacht,
a Thiarna, go brách na breithe. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 3: 7-15
Níl aon duine a chuaigh suas ar neamh, ach an té a tháinig anuas ó neamh, Mac an Duine.
San am sin dúirt Íosa le Nícodémas:
Ná déan ionadh de go ndúirt mé leat:
'Ní foláir sibh a ghiniúint arís ó lastuas.’
Séideann an ghaoth mar is áil léi.Is clos duit a glór, ach ní eol duit cad as di ná cá ngabhann sí. A dála-san ag gach duine a ghintear ón Spiorad.”
D’fhreagair Níocodaemas:
“Conas is féidir na nithe sin a bheith amhlaidh?” ar sé leis.
D’fhreagair Íosa:
“Is oide in Iosrael thú,” ar sé leis, “agus nach eol duit na nithe sin!
Go deimhin féin a deirim leat, an ní is eol dúinn is air a labhraimid,
agus an ní a chonacamar is air a thugaimid fianaise, ach ní ghlacann sibh ár bhfianaise.
Má inis mé nithe talmhaí daoibh, agus nach gcreideann sibh, cén chaoi a chreidfidh sibh, má insím nithe neamhaí daoibh?
Níl aon duine a chuaigh suas ar neamh, ach an té a tháinig anuas ó neamh, Mac an Duine [atá ar neamh].
Faoi mar a d’ardaigh Maois an nathair nimhe san fhásach, sin mar a chaithfear Mac an Duine a ardú, i dtreo, gach duine a chreideann ann, go mbeidh an bheatha shíoraí aige."
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 19th April, 2026
Third Sunday of Easter, Year A
Jesus, after walking and sharing his reflections is fully recognised in his breaking and sharing the bread and wine of the Eucharist as a celebration of his Risen Lordship.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:14, 22-33
It was impossible for him to be held in its power of Hades.
On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed them in a loud voice:
'Men of Judaea, and all you who live in Jerusalem, make no mistake about this, but listen carefully to what I say. Men of Israel, listen to what I am going to say: Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God by the miracles and portents and signs that God worked through him when he was among you, as you all know. This man, who was put into your power by the deliberate intention and foreknowledge of God, you took and had crucified by men outside the Law. You killed him, but God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades; for it was impossible for him to be held in its power since, as David says of him:
"I saw the Lord before me always,
for with him at my right hand nothing can shake me.
So my heart was glad and my tongue cried out with joy;
my body, too, will rest in the hope that you will not abandon my soul to Hades
nor allow your holy one to experience corruption.
You have made known the way of life to me, you will fill me with gladness through your presence."
'Brothers, no one can deny that the patriarch David himself is dead and buried: his tomb is still with us. But since he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn him an oath to make one of his descendants succeed him on the throne, 'what he foresaw and spoke about was the resurrection of the Christ: he is the one who was not abandoned to Hades, and whose body did not experience corruption. God raised this man Jesus to life, and all of us are witnesses to that. Now raised to the heights by God's right hand, he has received from the Father the Holy Spirit, who was promised, and what you see and hear is the outpouring of that Spirit.'
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 15:1-211. 5. 7-11. R/v 11
Response Show us, Lord, the path of life.
or Alleluia!
1. Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. I say to the Lord: 'You are my God.
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize.' Response
2. I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight:since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm. Response
3. And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay. Response
4. You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Peter 1:17-21
Your ransom was paid in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely Christ.
If you are acknowledging as your Father one who has no favourites and judges everyone according to what he has done, you must be scrupulously careful as long as you are living away from your home. Remember, the ransom that was paid to free you from the useless way of life your ancestors handed down was not paid in anything corruptible, neither in silver nor gold, but in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely Christ; who, though known since before the world was made, has been revealed only in our time, the end of the ages, for your sake.
Through him you now have faith in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory for that very reason - so that you would have faith and hope in God.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Lk 24:32
Alleluia, alleluia!
Lord Jesus, explain the scriptures to us.
Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 24:13-35 Glory to you O Lord
They recognised him at the breaking of bread.
Two of the disciples of Jesus were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him. He said to them, 'What matters are you discussing as you walk along?' They stopped short, their faces downcast.
Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him,
'You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days'.
'What things?' he asked.
'All about Jesus of Nazareth' they answered 'who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people; and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. And this is not all: two whole days have gone by since it all happened; and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning, and when they did not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive. Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.'
Then he said to them, 'You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?'
Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself.
When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them. 'It is nearly evening' they said 'and the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them.
Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight.Then they said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?'
They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem.
There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, who said to them, 'Yes, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.'
Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
Taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published and copyright 1966, by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 19th April, 2026
An Tríú Domhnach den Cháisc, Blian A
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an Leabhar Gníomhartha na nAspal 2:14, 22-33
Níorbh fhéidir go gcoinneodh an bás faoina smacht é.
Lá Cincise d’éirigh Peadar ina sheasamh i gcuideachta an Aon Duine Dhéag agus labhair leo de ghuth ard:
“A fheara Iosrael, éistigí leis na briathra seo: Fear ab ea Íosa Nazórach ar thug Dia féin teastas daoibh air leis na míorúiltí agus na héachtaí agus na fearta a rinne Dia tríd fad a bhí sé in bhur measc, mar is eol daoibh féin. Nuair a tugadh suas daoibh é de réir chomhairle cinnte agus réamheolas Dé, chuir sibh chun báis é, á thairneáil ar an gcrois trí lámha mallaitheoirí. Ach thóg Dia ó na mairbh é agus d’fhuascail ó arraingeacha an bháis é, mar níorbh fhéidir go gcoinneodh an bás faoina smacht é. Mar is é a deir Dáiví faoi:
“Choinnigh mé mo shúile ar an Tiarna de shíor.Tá sé ar mo dheasláimh, i dtreo nach suaithfear mé.
Tá gliondar ar mo chroí dá chionn agus tá meidhir ar mo theanga.
Tá mo cholainn féin faoi shuaimhneas le dóchas,
mar ní fhágfaidh tú mé i riocht na marbh
ná ní ligfidh tú do do neach naofa an meathlú a fhulaingt.
Thaispeáin tú dom bóthar na beatha agus líonfaidh tú mé le háthas i do láthair.
“Ní miste a rá libh go neamhbhalbh, a bhráithre, go bhfuair ár n-ardathair Dáiví bás, gur adhlacadh é agus go bhfuil a thuama anseo againn go dtí an lá inniu.Ach ó tharla gurbh fháidh é agus a fhios aige gur mhionnaigh Dia dó go gcuirfeadh sé duine dá shliocht ar a ríchathaoir,is ag cur síos a bhí sé, as a réamheolas, ar aiséirí Chríost mar ‘níor fágadh I riocht na marbh é agus níor fhulaing a cholainn an meathlú’. Thóg Dia an Íosa seo ó mhairbh, rud a bhfuilimidne go léir inár bhfinnéithe air. Agus tar éis a ardaithe ar dheis Dé, fuair sé óna Athair an Spiorad a bhí geallta agus dhoirt amach orainne é agus is é sin atá á fheiceáil agus á chloisteáil agaibhse.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 15:1-211. 5. 7-11. R/v 11
Freagra Taispeáin dúinn slí na beatha, a Thiarna.
Malairt freagra Alleluia
1. Caomhnaigh mé, a Thiarna, is ortsa a thriallaim. Deirim leis an Tiarna: 'Is tú mo Dhia.
Is é an Tiarna is rogha liom: mo chuid de réir oidhreachta, agus cuid mo chailíse; is ort atá mo sheasamh!' Freagra
2. Beannaím an Tiarna as ucht comhairle a thabhairt dom,agus teagasc a thabhairt do mo chroí san oíche.
Coimeádaim an Tiarna de shíor os mo choinne:agus é ar mo dheasláimh ní chorrófar me choíche. Freagra
3. Tá gairdeas ar mo chroí agus áthas ar m'anam, agus mairfidh mo cholainn faoi shuaimhneas freisin.
Óir ní fhágfaidh tú m'anam i measc na marbh, ná ní ligfidh tú do do mhuirneach truailliú a fheiceáil Freagra
4. Taispeáin tú slí na beatha dom, agus iomlán lúcháire i d'fhianaise,
agus aoibhneas ar do dheasláimh go brách. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Peadar 1:17-21
Óir is feasach sibh le fuil luachmhar Chríost, amhail fuil uain gan mháchail gan cháim.
A clann ionúin, má thugann sibh Athair ar an té sin a thugann breith gan leathchuma ar gach duine de réir a bhirt, ní foláir daoibh sibh féin a iompar go heaglach le linn bhur ndeoraíochta. Óir is feasach sibh nach le nithe sothruaillithe mar ór nó airgead a fuasclaíodh sibh ó bhur n-iompar baoth a fuair sibh mar oidhreacht ó bhur n-aithreacha, ach le fuil luachmhar Chríost, amhail fuil uain gan mháchail gan cháim. Bhí aithne air cheana féin roimh chruthú an domhain, ach foilsíodh é i ndeireadh ré ar bhur sonsa a chreideann trídsean i nDia, a thóg ó mhairbh é, agus a thug glóir dó, le go mbeadh creideamh agus dóchas agaibhse i nDia.Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Lc 24: 32
Alleluia, alleluia!
A Thiaina Íosa, nocht na scrioptúir dúinn;
cuir ár gcroí ar Iasadh ionainn Ie linn duit bheith ag labhairt linn.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 24:13-35
Thóg Íosa an t-arán agus bheannaigh, bhris sé ansin agus thug dóibh é. Osclaíodh a súile agus d’aithin siad é.
An lá sin féin, bhí beirt de na deisceabail ag dul go dtí baile darbh ainm Eamáus a bhí céad staid seascad ó Iarúsailéim, agus bhí siad ag comhrá le chéile faoi na nithe seo uile a bhí tar éis titim amach. Agus sa chomhrá dóibh agus sa chur trí chéile, dhruid Íosa féin leo agus shiúil lena gcois; ach bhí a súile coinnithe chun nach n-aithneoidís é. Dúirt sé leo: “Cad iad na scéala iad seo atá sibh a reic le chéile sa tslí?” Agus stad siad suas agus iad go gruama.
Dúirt duine acu leis á fhreagairt – Cleopas ab ainm dó: “An tusa an t-aon duine amháin atá ag cur fút in Iarúsailéim atá in ainbhios ar na nithe a tharla ann sna laethanta seo?”
Dúirt sé leo: “Cad iad na nithe?”
Dúirt siad leis: “Mar gheall ar Íosa – Nazairéanach, duine a bhí ina fháidh éifeachtach ó ghníomh agus ó bhriathar i bhfianaise Dé agus an phobail uile; mar a thug ár n-ardsagairt agus ár gcinn urra ar láimh é lena dhaoradh chun báis, agus mar a chéas siad é. Agus sinne ag súil leis gurbh eisean a bhí chun Iosrael a fhuascailt! Ach chomh maith leis an méid sin uile, tá an treas lá inniu ann ó thit na nithe sin amach. Agus go deimhin, tá mná dár muintir tar éis alltacht a chur orainn. Ar dhul go dtí an tuama dóibh go moch ar maidin, nuair nach raibh a chorp le fáil acu ann, tháinig siad agus scéala acu, fiú amháin, gur thaispeáin aingil iad féin dóibh a dúirt go bhfuil sé beo. Chuaigh cuid dár gcompánaigh go dtí an tuama ansin, agus fuair gurbh amhlaidh a bhí mar a dúirt na mná, ach ní fhaca siad é féin.”
Ansin dúirt sé féin leo:
“A dhaoine gan tuiscint atá dúr ó chroí chun a bhfuil ráite ag na fáithe a chreidiúint! Nárbh fholáir go bhfulaingeodh an Críost na nithe úd chun go dtiocfadh sé isteach ina ghlóir?”
Agus ag tosú dó ó Mhaois agus ó na fáithe uile, mhínigh sé dóibh na nithe a bhí sna scrioptúir uile mar gheall air féin.
Nuair a bhí siad I ngar don bhaile ar a raibh a dtriall, bhí de chuma air féin go raibh sé ag dul níos faide, agus rinne siad tathant air á rá:
“Fan againn, óir tá sé i mbéal tráthnóna agus an lá siar síos cheana féin.”
Chuaigh sé isteach dá réir sin chun fanacht acu. Agus ansin, nuair a bhí sé ag bord in éineacht leo, thóg sé an t-arán agus bheannaigh, bhris sé ansin agus thug dóibh é. Osclaíodh a súile agus d’aithin siad é; ach chuaigh sé ar neamhní uathu. Agus dúirt siad le chéile: “Nach raibh ár gcroí ar lasadh ionainn le linn dó bheith ag labhairt linn feadh na slí, agus é ag nochtadh na scrioptúr dúinn?”
Chuir siad chun bóthair an uair sin féin agus chuaigh ar ais go Iarúsailéim. Fuair siad an t-aon duine déag agus a gcompánaigh bailithe le chéile agus é de scéal acu: “Tá an Tiarna éirithe go deimhin agus chonacthas do Shíomón é.” Agus rinne siad féin ar tharla sa tslí a aithris, agus mar a d’aithin siad é i mbriseadh an aráin.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
