Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Nov 30 St Andrew, Apostle (2)
Summary: St Andrew, Apostle.
According to the gospels, Andrew, brother of Simon Peter, was an apostle of Jesus. He is referred to in the Orthodox tradition as the 'First-Called.' According to Orthodox tradition, St Andrew did an immense amount of missionary work around the Black Sea area and the apostolic successor to Saint Andrew is the Patriarch of Constantinople. Andrew is also the Patron of Scotland.
Andrew Becomes Jesus' First Disciple
According to the New Testament, Andrew, whose Greek name means “manly” or “strong”, was born in the village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee during the early first century. Like his brother Simon Andrew was also a fisherman. He became a disciple of St. John the Baptist. One day, John the Baptist, pointing to Jesus proclaimed, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" Andrew decided to follow Jesus.
How the Gospels Tell It
The Gospel of John (Chapter 1.40f ) the writer introduces Andrew as bringing his brother Simon to listen to Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew (Chapter 4:18f,) Jesus was walking along the
shore of the Sea of Galilee he saw Andrew and Simon Peter fishing. Jesus invited them to follow him and become disciples and "fishers of men."
Andrew, a Very Close Disciple of Jesus
Later on in the gospels, Mark (Chapter 13) has Andrew asking Jesus on the Mount of Olives for signs of the earth’s end. This occasioned Jesus' first eschatological discourse. He was also the one who told Jesus about the boy with the loaves and fishes, (C/f John Chapter 6:8.) and Jesus miraculously multiplied the food to feed the vast crowd. When Philip wanted to speak to Jesus about Greeks following him, it was Andrew whom he spoke to first before approaching Jesus.
Andrew and Christian Traditions
As per Christian tradition, after the Ascension, Andrew went on to preach the Good News around the shores of the Black Sea and continued his missionary work throughout what is now Greece and Turkey. He was martyred by crucifixion bound, rather than nailed to a cross, as is described in the 'Acts' of Andrew.
He was crucified on a cross known as "crux decussata," - an X-shaped cross. Today this is commonly referred to as "St. Andrew's Cross." It is believed Andrew requested to be crucified this way, because he deemed himself "unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Jesus." He died between 60-70 CE, at Patras, Achaia [Greece]. Early Byzantine tradition calls Andrew 'protokletos', “the first called.”
His remains were originally preserved at Patras. However, some believe St. Regulus who was a monk there received a vision telling him to hide some of Andrew's bones. Shortly after Regulus' dream, many of Andrew's relics were transferred to Constantinople by order of Roman emperor Constantius II around 357. Regulus later received orders in another dream telling him to take the bones "to the ends of the earth." He was to build a shrine for them wherever he was shipwrecked. Finally Regulus landed on the coat of Fife, Scotland.
More Recently
In September 1964, Pope Paul VI had all of St. Andrew's relics that ended up in Vatican City sent back to Patras. where many of Andrew's relics including the cross on which he was martyred. They are kept in the Church of St. Andrew in Patras.
On June 29th, 2019, giving fragments of St. Peter’s bones to the head of the Orthodox church founded by St Andrew, Pope Francis said he was doing this as a reminder and encouragement of the journey toward Christian unity 'This gesture is intended,' Pope Francis said, 'as a confirmation of the journey that our Churches have made in drawing closer to one another.'
St Andrew' influence in many Countries and Scotland
St. Andrew is venerated in Georgia, Greece and Turkey as the first preacher of Christianity in those territories and in Cyprus. He is the patron saint to several countries and cities including: Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Patras and Scotland.
Andrew has been celebrated in Scotland for over a thousand years, with feasts being held in his honour as far back as the year 1000 AD.
However, it wasn’t until 1320, when Scotland’s independence was declared with the signing of The Declaration of Arbroath, that he officially became Scotland’s patron saint. The flag of Scotland, the St Andrew’s Cross, was chosen in honour of him. The ancient town of St Andrews was named due to its claim of being the final resting place of St Andrew.
-Simon Peter-
According to the gospels, Andrew, brother of Simon Peter, was an apostle of Jesus. He is referred to in the Orthodox tradition as the 'First-Called.' According to Orthodox tradition, St Andrew did an immense amount of missionary work around the Black Sea area and the apostolic successor to Saint Andrew is the Patriarch of Constantinople. Andrew is also the Patron of Scotland.
Andrew Becomes Jesus' First Disciple
According to the New Testament, Andrew, whose Greek name means “manly” or “strong”, was born in the village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee during the early first century. Like his brother Simon Andrew was also a fisherman. He became a disciple of St. John the Baptist. One day, John the Baptist, pointing to Jesus proclaimed, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" Andrew decided to follow Jesus.How the Gospels Tell It
The Gospel of John (Chapter 1.40f ) the writer introduces Andrew as bringing his brother Simon to listen to Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew (Chapter 4:18f,) Jesus was walking along the
shore of the Sea of Galilee he saw Andrew and Simon Peter fishing. Jesus invited them to follow him and become disciples and "fishers of men."Andrew, a Very Close Disciple of Jesus
Later on in the gospels, Mark (Chapter 13) has Andrew asking Jesus on the Mount of Olives for signs of the earth’s end. This occasioned Jesus' first eschatological discourse. He was also the one who told Jesus about the boy with the loaves and fishes, (C/f John Chapter 6:8.) and Jesus miraculously multiplied the food to feed the vast crowd. When Philip wanted to speak to Jesus about Greeks following him, it was Andrew whom he spoke to first before approaching Jesus.
Andrew and Christian Traditions
As per Christian tradition, after the Ascension, Andrew went on to preach the Good News around the shores of the Black Sea and continued his missionary work throughout what is now Greece and Turkey. He was martyred by crucifixion bound, rather than nailed to a cross, as is described in the 'Acts' of Andrew.
He was crucified on a cross known as "crux decussata," - an X-shaped cross. Today this is commonly referred to as "St. Andrew's Cross." It is believed Andrew requested to be crucified this way, because he deemed himself "unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Jesus." He died between 60-70 CE, at Patras, Achaia [Greece]. Early Byzantine tradition calls Andrew 'protokletos', “the first called.”St Andrew's Relics
His remains were originally preserved at Patras. However, some believe St. Regulus who was a monk there received a vision telling him to hide some of Andrew's bones. Shortly after Regulus' dream, many of Andrew's relics were transferred to Constantinople by order of Roman emperor Constantius II around 357. Regulus later received orders in another dream telling him to take the bones "to the ends of the earth." He was to build a shrine for them wherever he was shipwrecked. Finally Regulus landed on the coat of Fife, Scotland.More Recently
In September 1964, Pope Paul VI had all of St. Andrew's relics that ended up in Vatican City sent back to Patras. where many of Andrew's relics including the cross on which he was martyred. They are kept in the Church of St. Andrew in Patras.
On June 29th, 2019, giving fragments of St. Peter’s bones to the head of the Orthodox church founded by St Andrew, Pope Francis said he was doing this as a reminder and encouragement of the journey toward Christian unity 'This gesture is intended,' Pope Francis said, 'as a confirmation of the journey that our Churches have made in drawing closer to one another.'
St Andrew' influence in many Countries and Scotland
St. Andrew is venerated in Georgia, Greece and Turkey as the first preacher of Christianity in those territories and in Cyprus. He is the patron saint to several countries and cities including: Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Patras and Scotland.
Andrew has been celebrated in Scotland for over a thousand years, with feasts being held in his honour as far back as the year 1000 AD.
However, it wasn’t until 1320, when Scotland’s independence was declared with the signing of The Declaration of Arbroath, that he officially became Scotland’s patron saint. The flag of Scotland, the St Andrew’s Cross, was chosen in honour of him. The ancient town of St Andrews was named due to its claim of being the final resting place of St Andrew.______________________
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Memorable Sayings for Today
God loves us beyond comprehension,
and we cannot diminish God's love for us.
-Simon Peter-
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Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 30th November, 2024
11- 30- Feast of St Andrew, Apostle, brother to Simon Peter, patron of Scotland, Russia and fishermen
Andrew, a disciple of John the Baptist introduced his brother Simon to Jesus.
All three bore witness to their faith by dying for it .Andrew is Patron of Scotland, Russia and fishing people.
FIRST READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 10:9-18
Faith comes from what is preached, and what is preached comes from the word of Christ.
If your lips confess that Jesus is Lord and if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved. By believing from the heart you are made righteous;by confessing with your lips you are saved.
When scripture says: 'those who believe in him will have no cause for shame', it makes no distinction between Jew and Greek: all belong to the same Lord who is rich enough, however many ask his help, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
But they will not ask his help unless they believe in him, and they will not believe in him unless they have heard of him, and they will not hear of him unless they get a preacher, and they will never have a preacher unless one is sent, but as scripture says:
'the footsteps of those who bring good news are a welcome sound'.
Not everyone, of course, listens to the Good News.
As Isaiah says: 'Lord, how many believed what we proclaimed?'
So faith comes from what is preached, and what is preached comes from the word of Christ.'
Let me put the question:
Is it possible that they did not hear? Indeed they did, in the words of the psalm,
Their voice has gone out through all the earth, and their message to the ends of the world.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 18
Response Their word goes forth through all the earth.
Or Alleluia!
1. The heavens proclaim the glory of God and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.
Day unto day takes up the story and night unto night makes known the message. Response
2. No speech, no word, no voice is heard yet their span extends through all the earth,
their words to the utmost bounds of the world. Response
Gospel Acclamation Lk 1: 28
Alleluia, alleluia!
Follow me , says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of men.
Alleluia
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 4:18-22
At once, leaving their nets, they followed him.
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen.And he said to them, 'Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.'
And they left their nets at once and followed him.
Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Scripture Reflection 30th Nov. Saint Andrew, Apostle Matthew 4:18-22
Today’s gospel reading suggests that there were at least two sets of brothers among Jesus’ closest followers, Simon Peter and his brother, Andrew, whose feast we celebrate today, and James and his brother John. We are fortunate if members of our family share our faith and support it. However that is not often the case in families. Sometimes a family member has to plough a lonely furrow as a person of faith within a family. Jesus recognized that this was likely to happen when he declared that his coming would bring division within families, with some family members becoming his disciples and other family members proving hostile as a result.
Within the family of Peter and Andrew, even though we think of Peter as the leading disciple of Jesus, according to the Gospel of John, it was Andrew who brought Peter to Jesus, having first come to faith in Jesus himself. The portrayal of Andrew in the gospel of John shows how influential we can be in bringing others to faith, including members of our own family who may not seem initially well disposed to faith. If we have a living relationship with the Lord, and if we are seeking to grow in that relationship in response to the Lord’s call, the Lord can work powerfully through us in ways that will surprise us. The primary way the Lord brings people to faith in him is through other people of faith.
In the first reading, Saint Paul says that people will not come to faith in Jesus unless they have heard of him and they will not hear of him unless they get a preacher. We are all called to be preachers of the Lord through the living out of our faith in him.
Then, the Lord will work through us, as he worked through Andrew, to bring others to him.
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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published by Darton, Longman and 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 2024: 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: Saturday, 30th November, 2024
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 10:9-18
Is ó theagasc a thagann an creideamh, mar sin, agus is trí sheanmóireacht Chríost a thagann an teagasc féin.
Má adhmhaíonn tú ó do bhéal gurb é Íosa an Tiarna agus má chreideann tú ó do chroí gur thóg Dia ó mhairbh é, slánófar thú. Is sa chroí a bhíonn an creideamh a fhíréanaíonn agus sa bhéal a bhíonn an admháil a shlánaíonn. Agus deir an scrioptúr:
“Gach aon duine a chreideann ann ní bheidh díoma air.”
Mar níl aon dealú idir Giúdach agus Gréagach mar is é an t-aon Tiarna amháin atá orthu go léir agus caitheann sé go flaithiúil lena nglaonn air,
“mar gach aon duine a ghlaofaidh ar ainm an Tiarna, slánófar é.”
Ach conas a ghlaofaidís ar an té nár chreid siad ann? Agus conas a chreidfidís sa té nár chuala siad trácht air? Agus conas a chloisfidís trácht air gan duine á fhógairt dóibh? Agus conas a dhéanfadh daoine é a fhógairt mura gcuirtear amach iad chuige sin?
Mar atá scríofa:
Nach álainn iad cosa lucht fógartha an dea-scéil.”
Ach ní gach aon duine a ghéill don dea-scéal, de réir mar a deir Íseáia:
“A Thiarna, cé a chreid ár dteagasc?”
Is ó theagasc a thagann an creideamh, mar sin, agus is trí sheanmóireacht Chríost a thagann an teagasc féin.
Ach ceist agam: An é nár chuala siad an scéala? Chuala go deimhin mar
“chuaigh a nglór amach ar fud an domhain go léir agus a mbriathra go himill na cruinne.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Psalm le Freagra Sm 18
Freagra Gabhann a bhfocail i ngach uile thír.
1. Fógraíonn na spéartha glóir Dé agus foilsíonn an fhirmimint saothar a lámh.
Insíonn na laethanta an scéal dá chéile agus tugann na hoícheannta an t-eolas dá chéile. Freagra
2. Ní chluintear caint ná canúint ná briathar cé go ngabhann a nglór i ngach uile thír
agus a bhfocail go críocha imchiana na cruinne. Freagra
Alleluia Véarsa Mth 4: 19
Alleluia! alleluia!
Tagaigí i mo dhiaidh, a deir an Tiarna agus déanfaidh mé iascairí ar dhaoine díbh.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 4:18-22 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
D’fhág siad na líonta láithreach agus lean siad é.
San am sin nuair a bhí Íosa ag siúl dó cois farraige na Gailíle, chonaic sé beirt dearthár, Síomón ar a dtugtar Peadar agus Aindrias a dheartháir, ag caitheamh eangacha san fharraige, mar iascairí a bhí iontu. Labhair sé leo:“Tagaigí i mo dhiaidh, agus déanfaidh mé iascairí ar dhaoine díbh.”
D’fhág siad na líonta láithreach agus lean siad é.
Bhuail sé ar aghaidh, agus chonaic sé beirt dearthár eile, Séamas mac Zeibidé agus Eoin a dheartháir: bhí siad sa bhád in éineacht lena n-athair, Zeibidé, ag cóiriú a gcuid líonta; agus ghlaoigh sé orthu. D’fhág siad an bád agus a n-athair láithreach agus lean siad é.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 1st December, 2024
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Jubilee Year 2025
Pope Francis has proclaimed 2025 to be a Jubilee or Holy Year
The Holy Father writes:
For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope.
|God's word helps us to find reasons for that hope.
St Paul says 'Hope does not disappoint' Rom 5:5.
The theme is “Pilgrims of Hope”, and it will be a year of hope
for a world suffering the impacts
of war, the ongoing effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and a climate crisis.
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The First Sunday of Advent, Year C
The Advent spirit of waiting and longing for the Lord reminds us of our daily call to holiness.
We are to be found blameless when he comes, living lives of honesty and integrity.
We are to avoid the temptations to escapism from the true meaning of life.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Jeremiah 33:14-16
I will make a virtuous Branch grow for David.
See, the days are coming - it is the Lord who speaks -
when I am going to fulfil the promise I made to the House of Israel and the House of Judah:
'In those days and at that time,
I will make a virtuous Branch grow for David,
who shall practice honesty and integrity in the land.
In those days Judah shall be saved
and Israel shall dwell in confidence.
And this is the name the city will be called:
the Lord-our-integrity.'
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 24
Response To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
1. Lord, make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths.
Make me walk in your truth, and teach me: for you are God my saviour. Response
2. The Lord is good and upright. He shows the path to those who stray,
he guides the humble in the right path; he teaches his way to the poor. Response
3. His ways are faithfulness and love for those who keep his covenant and will.
The Lord's friendship is for those who revere him; to them he reveals his covenant. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians 3:12-4:2
May the Lord confirm your hearts in holiness when Christ comes.
May the Lord be generous in increasing your love and make you love one another and the whole human race as much as we love you. And may he so confirm your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless in the sight of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus Christ comes with all his saints.Finally, brothers and sisters,
we urge you and appeal to you in the Lord Jesus to make more and more progress in the kind of life that you are meant to live: the life that God wants, as you learnt from us, and as you are already living it.
You have not forgotten the instructions we gave you on the authority of the Lord Jesus.
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 holy Gospel according to Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 Glory to you, O Lord.
Your liberation is near at hand.
Jesus said to his disciples:
'There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves;
men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.'
'Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
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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, 1st December, 2024
CÉAD DOMNACH DEN AIDBHINT - Bliain C
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as Leabhar Irimia, 33:14-16
Cuirfidh mise d’fhiacha ar Bheangán fíréanta fás suas do Dháiví.
Féach, tá na laethanta ag teacht – an Tiarna a labhraíonn – agus comhlíonfaidh mé an gheallúint a rinne mé do theach Iosrael agus do theach Iúdá:
'
Sna laethanta sin agus san am sincuirfidh mise d’fhiacha ar Bheangán fíréanta
fás suas do Dháiví,
agus cleachtfaidh sé macántacht agus ionracas sa tír
sábhálfar Iúdá sna laethanta sin
agus mairfidh Iosrael i ndóchas.
Agus is é seo an t-ainm a thabharfar ar an gcathair:
An Tiarna Ár bhFíréantacht.’
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
SALM LE FREAGRA Sm 24
Freagra Chugatsa a thógaim m'anam, a Thiarna.
1. Taispeáin do shlite dom, a Thiarna, agus teagasc dom do rianta.
Treoraigh mé d’fhírinne agus teagasc óir is túsa, a Dhia, mo Shlánaitheoir. Freagra 2. Is maith is is díreach é an Tiarna. Taispeánann sé an tslí do na peacaigh.
Díríonn sé an fear umhal san fhíréantacht; múineann sé a shlí do na bochtáin Freagra
3. Buanghrá is dílseacbt cosáin uile an Tiarna dóibh gcomhlíonann a chonradh is a aithne.
Tá gean an Tiarna orthu a dtugann urraim dó is dóibh a fhoilsíonn sé a chonradh. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Teasalónaigh 3:12-4:2
Go ndaingní an Tiarna bhur gcroíthe sa naofacht ar theacht dár dTiarna Íosa.
A bhráithre, go ndéana an Tiarna bhur ngrá dá chéile agus do chách eile a mhéadú go fras nó go mbeidh sé ar aon chéim leis an ngrá atá againne daoibh. Agus go ndaingní sé bhur gcroíthe sa naofacht sa tslí go mbeidh siad gan cháim os comhair Dé, ár nAthair, ar theacht dár dTiarna Íosa agus a chuid naomh in éineacht leis.Rud eile de, a bhráithre, fuair sibh le fios uainne – conas ba chóir daoibh bhur saol a thabhairt chun Dia a shásamh agus tá sibh ag déanamh amhlaidh cheana. Táim ag iarraidh mar achainí anois oraibh in ainm an Tiarna Íosa, déanamh níos fearr fós. Tá a fhios agaibh cad iad na treoracha a thugamar daoibh ar údarás an Tiarna Íosa.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Sm 84:8
Alleluia, alleluia!
Taispeáin dúinn, a Thiarna, do thrócaire, agus tabhair dúinn do shlánú
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 21:25-28, 34-36 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Tá bhur bhfuascailt in aice láimhe.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail
“Beidh comharthaí sa ghrian agus sa ghealach agus sna réaltaí. Ar an talamh beidh duainéis na náisiúin, iad ar mearbhall ó ghlór agus ó mhórtas na farraige; daoine i bhfantaisí éaga de bharr eagla agus imní faoi na nithe atá le breith
an gcruinne; óir beidh cumhachtaí na bhflaitheas ar crith. Agus ansin feicfear Mac an Duine ag teacht sa scamall le cumhacht agus le glóir mhór. Nuair a thosóidh na nithe sin ag teacht, seasaígí suas agus ardaígí bhur gceann, óir tá bhur bhfuascailt in aice láimhe.'"Ach tugaigí aire daoibh féin gan ligean do bhur gcroí éirí garbh de bharr ragairne nó meisce nó cúraimí an tsaoil, le heagla go mbéarfadh an lá úd go tobann oraibh mar a bheadh gaiste. Óir is de phreib a thiocfaidh sé ar chách a bheidh ina gcónaí ar aghaidh na talún go léir. Bígí gach uile thráth do bhur bhfaire féin agus ag guí chun go mbeadh ar bhur gcumas dul slán ó na nithe sin uile atá le teacht, agus seasamh díreach os comhair Mhac an Duine.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
