Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Nov 29 - St Brendan of Birr (d. 573) abbot
Summary: St Brendan of Birr was one of the twelve apostles of Ireland. He is best known for his friendship and support of St Columba, who had a vision of St Brendan being carried by angels to heaven at his death.
Patrick Duffy tells what is known about him.
Studies with St Finian at Clonard
Brendan is said to have studied under St Finian at Clonard where he became a friend of St Columba and St Brendan the Navigator. He later made his own monastic foundation at Birr, Co Offaly.
Supports Columba at Tailtean
St Adamnan in his Life of Columba (3:4) tells a story of Brendan of Birr's support of St Columba when "he had been excommunicated for some pardonable and very trifling reasons, and indeed unjustly". Columba was making his way to a gathering at Tailtean (Telltown - between Kells and Navan), Co Meath. Brendan, seeing him in the distance, quickly arose and went to him. He bowed down reverently and kissed him. Some of the seniors in the assembly drew apart from the rest, and began finding fault with Brendan."Why did you not refuse to rise in presence of this excommunicated person? And to kiss him?" Brendan of Birr replied: "If you had seen what the Lord has this day thought fit to show to me regarding this his chosen one, whom you dishonour, you would never have unjustly excommunicated him, for he is a person whom God holds in high esteem."
"How," they asked, "can God exalt one whom we have rightly excommunicated?" Brendan replied: "I have seen a most brilliant pillar wreathed with fiery tresses preceding this same man of God whom you treat with contempt. I have also seen holy angels accompanying him on his journey through the plain. Therefore I do not dare to slight him, whom I see foreordained by God to be the leader of his people to life."
The gathering immediately rescinded the previous excommunication.
Visit to Cashel and baptism of St Colman of Cloyne
About 580, Brendan went on a visit to Cashel for the inauguration of a new king of Munster. The royal bard at Cashel at that time was not a Christian and Brendan was the one to lead the liturgy for the occasion. During his visit also, the tomb of St Ailbe of Emly, buried there many years previously, was rediscovered on the site. The royal bard, greatly impressed by these experiences, asked to become a Christian. Brendan baptised him and sent him to St Jarlath of Tuam for further formation. He was Colman MacLenine, subsequently abbot of his own foundation at Cloyne, Co Cork.
Columba's intuition of the death of Brendan
St Adamnan also tells a beautiful story about the closeness of Brendan and Columba. Early one morning on Iona Columba rose and instructed his servant Diarmuid to prepare for a celebration of the Holy Eucharist, in honour, he said, of the natalis (literally "birth day", but meaning "birthday in heaven") of blessed Brendan." "Why," asked Diarmuid, "do you want Mass prepared today since no messenger has come to us from Scotia (Ireland) to tell us of the holy man's death?" "Go," said the saint, "and do what I say. For last night I saw the heavens suddenly open, and choirs of angels descend to meet the soul of the holy Brendan; and so great and incomparable was the brightness that in that same hour it illuminated the whole world" (Adamnan's Life of Columba, 3:12).
Influence: the Macregol Gospels (or The Book of Birr)
The deaths of the abbots of
were recorded in the Irish Annals. One Macregol, successor to St Brendan, is listed as "scribe, abbot and bishop at Birr", died in 822 AD. He had made a magnificent illuminated manuscript copy of the Four Gospels, the original of which is in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Eight pages are illuminated in the style of about the eighth or ninth century AD like The Book of Kells. A facsimile copy has recently been made available in the Birr Town Library.
(The image, above right, is of the Birr Old Churchyard, believed to be the site of the monastery founded by St Brendan.
Patrick Duffy tells what is known about him.
Studies with St Finian at Clonard
Brendan is said to have studied under St Finian at Clonard where he became a friend of St Columba and St Brendan the Navigator. He later made his own monastic foundation at Birr, Co Offaly.Supports Columba at Tailtean
St Adamnan in his Life of Columba (3:4) tells a story of Brendan of Birr's support of St Columba when "he had been excommunicated for some pardonable and very trifling reasons, and indeed unjustly". Columba was making his way to a gathering at Tailtean (Telltown - between Kells and Navan), Co Meath. Brendan, seeing him in the distance, quickly arose and went to him. He bowed down reverently and kissed him. Some of the seniors in the assembly drew apart from the rest, and began finding fault with Brendan."Why did you not refuse to rise in presence of this excommunicated person? And to kiss him?" Brendan of Birr replied: "If you had seen what the Lord has this day thought fit to show to me regarding this his chosen one, whom you dishonour, you would never have unjustly excommunicated him, for he is a person whom God holds in high esteem.""How," they asked, "can God exalt one whom we have rightly excommunicated?" Brendan replied: "I have seen a most brilliant pillar wreathed with fiery tresses preceding this same man of God whom you treat with contempt. I have also seen holy angels accompanying him on his journey through the plain. Therefore I do not dare to slight him, whom I see foreordained by God to be the leader of his people to life."
The gathering immediately rescinded the previous excommunication.
Visit to Cashel and baptism of St Colman of Cloyne
About 580, Brendan went on a visit to Cashel for the inauguration of a new king of Munster. The royal bard at Cashel at that time was not a Christian and Brendan was the one to lead the liturgy for the occasion. During his visit also, the tomb of St Ailbe of Emly, buried there many years previously, was rediscovered on the site. The royal bard, greatly impressed by these experiences, asked to become a Christian. Brendan baptised him and sent him to St Jarlath of Tuam for further formation. He was Colman MacLenine, subsequently abbot of his own foundation at Cloyne, Co Cork.
Columba's intuition of the death of Brendan
St Adamnan also tells a beautiful story about the closeness of Brendan and Columba. Early one morning on Iona Columba rose and instructed his servant Diarmuid to prepare for a celebration of the Holy Eucharist, in honour, he said, of the natalis (literally "birth day", but meaning "birthday in heaven") of blessed Brendan." "Why," asked Diarmuid, "do you want Mass prepared today since no messenger has come to us from Scotia (Ireland) to tell us of the holy man's death?" "Go," said the saint, "and do what I say. For last night I saw the heavens suddenly open, and choirs of angels descend to meet the soul of the holy Brendan; and so great and incomparable was the brightness that in that same hour it illuminated the whole world" (Adamnan's Life of Columba, 3:12).
Influence: the Macregol Gospels (or The Book of Birr)
The deaths of the abbots of
were recorded in the Irish Annals. One Macregol, successor to St Brendan, is listed as "scribe, abbot and bishop at Birr", died in 822 AD. He had made a magnificent illuminated manuscript copy of the Four Gospels, the original of which is in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Eight pages are illuminated in the style of about the eighth or ninth century AD like The Book of Kells. A facsimile copy has recently been made available in the Birr Town Library.(The image, above right, is of the Birr Old Churchyard, believed to be the site of the monastery founded by St Brendan.
Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 29th November, 2023
Wednesday of the Thirty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1
FIRST READING
A reading from the prophet Daniel 5:1-6. 13-14. 16-17. 23-28
The fingers of a human hand appeared, and began to write.
King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for his noblemen; a thousand of them attended, and he drank wine in company with this thousand. As he sipped his wine, Belshazzar gave orders for the gold and silver vessels to be brought which his father Nebuchadnezzar had looted from the sanctuary in Jerusalem, so that the king, his noblemen, his wives and his singing women could drink out of them.
The gold and silver vessels looted from the sanctuary of the Temple of God in
Jerusalem were brought in, and the king, his noblemen, his wives and his singing women drank out of them. They drank their wine and praised their gods of gold and silver, of bronze and iron, of wood and stone. Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared, and began to write on the plaster of the palace wall, directly behind the lamp-stand; and the king could see the hand as it wrote. The king turned pale with alarm: his thigh-joints went slack and his knees began to knock.
Daniel was brought into the king's presence; the king said to Daniel,
'Are you the Daniel who was one of the Judaean exiles brought by my father the king from Judah? I am told that the spirit of God Most Holy lives in you, and that you are known for your perception, intelligence and marvellous wisdom. As I am told that you are able to give interpretations and to unravel difficult problems, if you can read the writing and tell me what it means, you shall be dressed in purple, and have a chain of gold put round your neck, and be third in rank in the kingdom.'
Then Daniel spoke up in the presence of the king.
'Keep your gifts for yourself,' he said 'and give your rewards to others. I will read the writing to the king without them, and tell him what it means. You have defied the Lord of heaven, you have had the vessels from his Temple brought to you, and you, your noblemen, your wives and your singing women have drunk your wine out of them. You have praised gods of gold and silver, of bronze and iron, of wood and stone, which cannot either see, hear or understand; but you have given no glory to the God who holds your breath and all your fortunes in his hands. That is why he has sent the hand which, by itself, has written these words. The writing reads: Mene, Mene, Tekel and Parsin. The meaning of the words is this:
Mene: God has measured your sovereignty and put an end to it;
Tekel: you have been weighed in the balance and found wanting;
Parsin: your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and the Persians.'
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Dan 3: 62-67 Rv: 59
Response Give glory and eternal praise to him!
1. Sun and moon! bless the Lord. R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
Stars of heaven! bless the Lord. R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
2. Showers and dews! all bless the Lord. R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
Winds! all bless the Lord. R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
3. Fire and heat! bless the Lord. R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
Cold and heat! bless the Lord. R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
Gospel Acclamation Lk 21: 36
Alleluia, alleluia!
Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.
Alleluia!
Or Apoc 2: 10
Alleluia, alleluia!
Even if you have to die, says the Lord, keep faithful, and I will give you the crown of life.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 21:12-19 Glory to you, O Lord.
You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost.
Jesus said to his disciples:'Men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name - and that will be your opportunity to bear witness.
Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death.
You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost.
Your endurance will win you your lives.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Wednesday Thirty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Luke 21:12-19
There is both darkness and light in today’s gospel reading. Jesus announces a difficult time for his disciples ahead, when they will be seized, persecuted and imprisoned, with some of them put to death. On the brink of his own passion and death, he announces the future passion of his disciples. Yet, light shines in these dark times. As Jesus says, such times will be your opportunity to bear witness. The time of crisis that lies ahead will also be a time of opportunity. Many people feel that the church is in a time of crisis at the moment. The future seems uncertain; we are having to let go of a great deal. Yet, the gospel reading suggests that this time of crisis is also a moment of opportunity. It is a new opportunity ‘to bear witness’ in the words of the gospel reading. Jesus assures his disciples that in their coming moment of crisis he will be with them giving them the eloquence and wisdom they need to confront the forces that oppose them.
The Lord makes the same promise to us. He gives us the resources we need; he will not fail to provide for us. From his fullness we will continue to receive. Indeed, times of difficulty can make us more receptive to all that the Lord can offer us. What the Lord asks of us in the language of the gospel reading is ‘endurance’. We need to stay the course, to keep living lives that are faithful, hopeful and loving. We don’t give in to the temptation to discouragement and despondency, but, in the language of the letter to the Hebrews, ‘we run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith’.
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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 Reflections on the Weekday Readings 2022-2023: Your word is a lamp for my feet and light for my path by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications 2022, c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 29th November, 2023
CHÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an fáidh Dainéil 5:1-6. 13-14. 16-17. 23-28
Dhealraigh go tobann méara láimhe duine agus í ag scríobh ar phlástar bhalla an pháláis ríoga.
Rinne Béilseazar rí fleá mhór dá mhaithe, míle díobh,agus d’ól sé fíon os comhair an mhíle seo. Nuair a bhlais sé an fíon, d’ordaigh Béilseazar na soithí óir agus airgid a d’fhuadaigh a athair Nabúcadnazar ó Theampall Iarúsailéim a thabhairt i láthair chun go n-ólfadh an rí agus a mhaithe, a mhná agus a leannáin, deoch
astu.Ansin tugadh i láthair na soithí óir agus airgid a fuadaíodh ón Teampall, Teach Dé in Iarúsailéim, agus d’ól an rí agus a mhaithe, a mhná agus a leannáin deoch astu. D’ól siad fíon agus mhol siad na déithe óir agus airgid, práis agus iarainn, adhmaid agus cloiche. Dhealraigh go tobann méara láimhe duine agus í ag scríobh ar phlástar bhalla an pháláis ríoga laistiar den choinnleoir; bhí an rí ag faire ar an láimh ag scríobh. Chlaochaigh a lí ar an rí; bhuair a smaointe é; tháinig ballchrith air agus chnag a ghlúine ar a chéile.
Ansin tugadh Dainéil os comhair an rí, agus dúirt an rí le Dainéil:
“An tusa Dainéil, de chine díbeartha Iúdá a thug m’athair, an rí, leis ó Iúdá? Chuala á rá é go bhfuil spiorad an Naomh-Dhé ionat, agus go bhfuil solas agus tuiscint agus eagna thar barr ionat. Chuala mé á rá é go bhfuil ar do chumas mínithe a thabhairt agus fadhbanna a réiteach. Anois má fhéadann tú an scríbhinn seo a léamh agus a ciall a fhoilsiú dom, cuirfear éide chorcra umat, slabhra óir ar do mhuineál, agus beidh tú ar an tríú rialtóir sa ríocht.”
Dúirt Dainéil :
Ach tusa, a Bhéilseazar, amhac siúd, níor umhlaigh tú do chroí cé gurbh eol duit é seo go léir; ach d’ardaigh tú thú féin in aghaidh Tiarna neimhe; tugadh soithí a thí i do láthair agus d’ól tú féin agus do mhaithe, do mhná agus do leannáin, deoch fíona astu; agus mhol tú déithe óir agus airgid, práis agus iarainn, adhmaid agus cloiche, déithe gan radharc, gan éisteacht, gan eolas; ach an Dia a bhfuil d’anáil faoina láimh, agus do shlite uile ina sheilbh, níor thug tú glóir dó. Óna láthair a seoladh an lámh seo a rianaigh an scríbhinn seo ina haonar. Is í seo an scríbhinn a scríobhadh:
MENÉ, MENÉ, TECÉL, agus PARSÍN. Seo ciall na bhfocal sin:
MENÉ: ríomhaigh Dia laethanta do ríochta agus tá sí tugtha chun críche aige.
TECÉL: Meádh thú sa mheá agus fuarthas easpa ort.
PARSÍN: tá do ríocht deighilte agus tugtha do na Méidigh agus do na Peirsigh.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Dain 3: 62-67 Rv: 59
Freagra Molaigí é agus móraigí é go hard de shíor.
1. Glóirígí an Tiarna, a ghrian agus a ghealach. F: Molaigí é agus móraigí é go hard de shíor!
Glóirígí an Tiarna, a réaltaí na spéire. F:Molaigí é agus móraigí é go hard de shíor!
2. Glóirígí an Tiarna, a bháisteach agus a dhrúcht de gach sort. F: Molaigí é agus móraigí é go hard de shíor!
Glóirígí an Tiarna, a ghaotha uile, F: Molaigí é agus móraigí é go hard de shíor!
3. Glóirígí an Tiarna, a thine agus a theas,. F: Molaigí é agus móraigí é go hard de shíor!
Glóirígí an Tiarna, a fhuacht agus a bhrothaill, F: Molaigí é agus móraigí é go hard de shíor!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 21:12-19 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Beidh fuath ag cách daoibh mar gheall ar m’ainmse; ach ribe de ghruaig bhur gcinn ní mhillfear.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail:'Leagfar lámh oraibh agus géarleanfar sibh, tabharfar ar láimh sibh do na sionagóga agus do na príosúin, seolfar i láthair ríthe agus gobharnóirí sibh mar gheall ar m’ainmse. Is é a thiocfaidh as sin daoibh, go bhféadfaidh sibh fianaise a thabhairt.
Dá bhrí sin, bíodh sé de rún agaibh gan ullmhú roimh ré chun bhur gcosanta, óir tabharfaidh mise urlabhra daoibh agus eagna nach bhféadfaidh bhur gcúisitheoirí uile cur ina haghaidh ná a bhréagnú. Tabharfar ar láimh sibh ag bhur dtuismitheoirí féin, fiú amháin, ag bhur ndeartháireacha, ag bhur ngaolta, ag bhur gcairde, agus básófar cuid agaibh, agus beidh fuath ag cách daoibh mar gheall ar m’ainmse; ach ribe de ghruaig bhur gcinn ní mhillfear.
Is le bhur mbuanseasamh a ghnóthóidh sibh bhur n-anamacha.'
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 3rd December, 2023
*****************Beginning Advent 2023-24 ******************
Third December 2023
First Sunday of Advent Year B
The God who comes is a loving Father; we are the work of his hands. Our hope in Christ will strengthen us to await steady and without blame the day of his coming. We are warned against complacency, taking God’s gifts for granted. Our God is watching over us; he is the careful potter, the loving father, the good shepherd, the faithful one.
FIRST READING
A reading from the prophet Isaiah 63:16-17; 64:1. 3-8
Oh that you would tear the heavens open and some down.
You, Lord, yourself are our Father, Our Redeemer is your ancient name.
Why, Lord, leave us to stray from your ways and harden our hearts against fearing you?
Return, for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your inheritance.
Oh that you would tear the heavens open and some down
- at your Presence, such as no one has ever heard of before.
No ear has heard, no eye has seen any god but you act like this
for those who trust him.
You guide those who act with integrity and keep your ways in mind.
You were angry when we were sinners; we had long been rebels against you.
We were all like men unclean, all that integrity of ours like filthy clothing.
We have all withered like leaves and our sins blew us away like the wind.
No one invoked your name or roused himself to catch hold of you.
For you hid your face from us and gave us up to the power of our sins.
And yet, Lord, you are our Father;
we the clay, you the potter,
we are all the work of your hand.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 79
Response God of hosts, bring us back;
let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
1. O shepherd of Israel, hear us, shine forth from your cherubim throne.
O Lord, rouse up your might, O Lord, come to our help. Response
2. God of hosts, turn again, we implore, look down from heaven and see.
Visit this vine and protect it, the vine your right hand has planted. Response
3. May your hand be on the man you have chosen, the man you have given your strength.
And we shall never forsake you again: give us life that we may call upon your name. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 1:3-9
We are waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send you grace and peace.I never stop thanking God for all the graces you have received through Jesus Christ. I thank him that you have been enriched in so many ways, especially in your teachers and preachers; the witness to Christ has indeed been strong among you so that you will not be without any of the gifts of the Spirit while you are waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed; and he will keep you steady and without blame until the last day, the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, because God by calling you has joined you to his Son, Jesus Christ; and God is faithful.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Ps 84:8
Alleluia, alleluia!
Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Mark 13:33-37 Glory to you, O Lord
Stay awake, because you never know when the time will come
Jesus said to his disciples:'Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come. It is like a man travelling abroad: he has gone from home, and left his servants in charge, each with his own task; and he has told the doorkeeper to stay awake.
So stay awake, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming, evening, midnight, cockcrow, dawn; if he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep.
And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake!'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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A short Advent reflection with thanks to John Cullen
We all have memories that are vivid and have an impact on us. One haunting memory I have is of a routine walk through a school playground; a child asked me, ‘Father, can I ask you a question?’ I said, ‘Yes, of course, anything’. Then he asked me, ‘Is it true that Santa Claus is not real?’ I side-stepped the question, but I could see in his eyes that he was determined to get an answer. I explained about St Nicholas and that Santa represented him.Then a startling question of clarification followed. It was like an ex cathedra statement. ‘So there is no real Santa that manages to come down a smoked chimney full of soot and yet appears with a white beard?' Well, what do you say?’ He was looking for real answers of proof. ( St Nickolas )
Like all adults I fudged and fumbled a vague answer. Then he asked me a major question, ‘Father, what age then do they tell us that there is no God, just like there is no Santa?’ I felt dim witted and flummoxed. The bell rang, playtime was over and I never got around to answering his vital and honest question even to this day.
Advent is an awareness time to help us not to miss the signs of God’s presence. Awareness is inseparable from the expectancy that was in the question posed to me in the school playground. We look at one another as believers with hope and expectancy.
Awareness and expectancy are central to Advent. Every day we watch the world in which we live and the people we meet with a sense of expectancy. Advent invites us to listen for the Word to come alive for us in Scripture and to ask the Spirit to bless our awareness through the signs of the sacraments.
Advent reflections help us to celebrate the truth of ‘God-with-us’, who, despite the lurking questions in the playground of our hearts, invites us in the gospel words ‘to listen, to know and to follow’ (John 10:27).
Fr John Cullen, John's reflections were originally published by The Messenger Publications. c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop
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The Scripture Texts are taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published and copyright 1966, Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 3rd December, 2023
AN CHÉAD DOMNACH DEN AIDBHINT
CHÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an fáidh Íseáia 63:16-17; 64:1. 3-8
Och, dá roisfeá na flaithis ó chéile agus teacht anuas
Tusa, a Thiarna, is athair dúinn; ár bhfuascailteoir, is é sin d’ainm riamh anall.
Cén fáth, a Thiarna, a bhfuil muid ar seachrán agat i bhfad ó do shlite,
agus ár gcroíthe á gcruachan ionas nach eagal leo thú níos mó?
Fill ar ais ar son do sheirbhíseach, ar son treibheanna d’oidhreachta.
Och, dá roisfeá na flaithis ó chéile agus teacht anuas,
ag cur na sléibhte ar crith os do chomhair,
Dhéanfá éachtaí ansin nach raibh súil leo, agus nár chuala aon duine caint orthu riamh.
Cluas níor chuala ná súil ní fhaca dia ar bith ach tusa ag seasamh leis an té a chuir a mhuinín ann.
Cuireann tú fáilte roimh an dream a chleachtann an ceartagus a mbíonn cuimhne acu ort féin agus ar do bhealaí.
Tá fearg ort, agus déanaimid peaca dá ainneoin sin;
is fada sinn ag déanamh ceannairce i do choinne.
Bhíomar go léir ar nós duine atá neamhghlan
agus ár ndea-ghníomhartha uile mar ghiobail bhrocacha.
Tá muid seargtha ar fad mar bheadh duilleoga,
dár siabadh linn ag ár gcionta ar nós na gaoithe.
Duine níl ann a ghlaonn ar d’ainm,
ná a mhúsclaíonn é féin chun teannadh go dlúth leat.
óir tá tú tar éis do ghnúis a cheilt orainn,
agus sinn fágtha agat faoi smacht ár gcoireanna. Ach fós féin, a Thiarna, is tú ár n-athair.
Sinne an chré, tusa an potaire, agus saothar do láimhe is ea sinn go léir.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 79
Freagra Cuir ar ais sinn, a Dhia.
Taispeáin dúinn d'agnaidh ghrianmhar agus slánaigh sinn, a Thiarna.
1. Éist linn, a aoire Isráél. Túsa atá i do shuí ar na Ceiribíní, soilsigh amach.
Corraigh do chumhacht, a Thiarna, agus tar chugainn dár sábháil. Freagra
2. Cas ar ais, a Dhia na Slua. Breathnaigh anuas ó neamh agus féach.
Tabhair cuairt ar an bhfíniúin a chuir tú féin. Caomhnaigh an stoc a phlandaigh do dheaslámh féin. Freagra
3. Go raibh do lámh ar an bhfear a roghnaigh tú, ar mhac an duine a neartaigh tú duit féin.
Ní thréigfimid thú go brách ansin; tabhair dúinn an bheatha agus mórfimid d’ainm, Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad litir Naomh Pól chuig na Coirintigh 1:3-9
Táimid ag feitheamh lenár dTiarna Íosa Críost a nochtadh chugaibh.
Bím ag síorghabháil buíochais le Dia ar bhur son as an ngrásta atá bronnta aige oraibh in Íosa Críost.
Mar tá raidhse den uile shórt faighte agaibh ann: raidhse den urlabhra agus raidhse den eolas.Tá an fhianaise ar Chríost dulta chomh daingean sin I bhfeidhm oraibh nach bhfuil tabhartas ar bith in easnamh oraibh fad atá sibh ag feitheamh lenár dTiarna Íosa Críost a nochtadh chugaibh. Coimeádfaidh seisean daingean sibh go deireadh na dála, gan cháim lá ár dTiarna Íosa Críost. Tá Dia dílis agus is é a ghlaoigh oraibh chun bheith rannpháirteach lena Mhac, ár dTiarna Íosa Críost.
Briathar Dé. Buíochas le Dia
Comhgháir/Alleluia - Sm 84:8
Alleluia, alleluia!
Taispeáin dúinn, a Thiarna, do thrócaire, agus tabhair dúinn do shánú.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Marcas 13:33-37 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Déanaigí faire, dá bhrí sin, mar ní fios daoibh cén uair a thiocfaidh tiarna an tí
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail :Bígí aireach, déanaigí faire, mar níl a fhios agaibh cén uair a bheidh an t-am ann. Is é dála duine é a d’fhág a theach agus a d’imigh ar an gcoigríoch; thug sé an t-údarás dá sclábhaithe, gach duine díobh i mbun a chúraim féin; agus d’ordaigh sé don doirseoir faire a dhéanamh.
Déanaigí faire, dá bhrí sin, mar ní fios daoibh cén uair a thiocfaidh tiarna an tí, um thráthnóna, i lár na hoíche, ar ghlao an choiligh, nó ar maidin. Má thagann sé gan choinne, ná faigheadh sé sibh in bhur gcodladh.
An rud a deirim libhse, deirim le gach duine é: Déanaigí faire.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
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Machtnamh ar Bhriathar Dé dia Domhnaigh
Nuair a ghuíonn an fáidh Íseáia go n’oscalódh Dia an Flaitheas agus a theacht síos ar an domhan, is dócha go raibh sé ag smaoineamh i dtéarmaí na rudaí a tharla ar Sliabh Sinai blianta fada roimhe sin. In am Maoise bhreathnaigh na hIosraeligh Dia sa bfhásach i measg an dúlra (Ex 19). Ní bhéadh sé inmhianaithe do’n fháidh go dtabharfadh Dia na n’Uile é féin a thumadh go hiomlán inár saol – ach is é sin díreach cad a thárla i n-iomláine na hama. Cé go raibh Isaias ag guí go mbeadh na sléibhte leá mar chéir i láthair Dé, is cosúil go bhfhuil suim níos mó ag Dia maidir le leá ár gcroí. Tá sé mar a gaibh an Potaire foirm an chré air féin. Le linn na hAidbhinte tugtar cuireadh dúinn smaoineamh ar ár laige daonna, ní hamháin chun aithrí a bheith orainn ach go líonfar ár gcroíthe le hiontas ar an gcaoi a roghnaíonn Dia ár slánú.
Pádraig Ó Rúairí, cp, Sliabh Argus, Átha Cliath.
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