Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Sep 12 - St Ailbe of Emly (d. 528) the Patrick of Munster
Summary: St Ailbe is regarded as the patron saint of Munster and his church at Emly and was for long the province's chief ecclesiastical centre. He is the patron saint of the joint archdiocese of Cashel and Emly with the see at Thurles. (The last bishop of Emly was Blessed Terence Albert O'Brien O.P., martyred 1651.)
Patrick Duffy tells Ailbe's story.
Mythology and Etymology
Both Ailbe's name and the place where he founded his church have significant associations in their etymology and mythology.
Emly, Imleach Iubhair, perhaps takes its name, "the lakeside of the yew tree", from a pre-Christian sacred yew tree at the place.
Ailbe itself was the name of a divine warhound guarding the boundaries of Leinster. Places such as Magh Ailbe, plain of Ailbe, on which stood the Lia Ailbe, the Standing Stone of Ailbe, are witness to this.
The name Ailbe is derived from the Irish words Ail (rock) and beo (alive). Ailbe was born to a maidservant in the house of Cronan, Lord of Eliach in County Tipperary. Cronan, for reasons unrevealed, disapproved of his birth and directed that he be exposed to 'dogs and wild beasts, that he might be devoured'. But, instead, the baby was found hidden under a rock (Ail) and alive (beo), by a she-wolf who reared him among her own cubs. The saint repaid the kindness toward the end of his life when a she-wolf chased by hunters took refuge with him. He ordered that it should not be harmed, and would come to eat with him each day.
The name Ailbe is Latinized as Albeus, and sometimes anglicized as Elvis!
Received the Faith from South Wales
Ailbe is frequently named as leader among the four "Palladian bishops" all of whom ministered in the south of Ireland - Ailbe of Emly, Ibar of Begerin, Declan of Ardmore and Ciaran of Saighir - before or around the time of the arrival of St Patrick.
Since Ailbe was also known in South Wales, it seems certain that before Patrick there was a movement of Christians between the south of Wales and the south of Ireland. And it may be from this movement that Ailbe received his Christian faith. Another source says he baptised St David of Wales.
Friendship with Declan: visit to Rome
Ailbe was particularly friendly with Declan. The Life of Declan says: "They loved one another like brothers..." The Life also says they both went to Rome and were ordained bishop by the Pope. (Unlikely!) But it could be an indication of a later claim for authority for him or his see.
Emly and Cashel
The Life of Declan also deferentially declares: "Humble Ailbe was the Patrick of Munster...." He was considered to be one of the pre-Patrician saints of Ireland
The church Ailbe founded at Emly in south-west Tipperary became a centre of formation for other well-known monastic saints, such as Ss Colman of Dromore and Enda of Aran island.
Ailbe is said to have petitioned King Aengus of Cashel for a site for a monastery for Enda. Unaware that he had islands in his domain, Aengus that night dreamed about them and granted them to Enda. (The ancient connection between the Aran Islands and the region of his kingdom may be discerned in the name Tiobarad Árann).
Another interesting story is that Ailbe's tomb, long forgotten, was discovered in Cashel in 580 when St Brendan of Birr came on a visit to inaugurate the new king.
Emly later became an important ecclesiastical centre and diocese. In 1718 it was united with Cashel and St Ailbe is the patron of the joint archdiocese.
Ailbe's monastic Rule
A ninth century monastic rule bears Ailbe's name. It consists of 56 verses in Irish, including these instructions on how a monk should be:
Let him be steady,
let him not be restless,
let him be wise, learned, pious;
let him be vigilant; let him be a slave; let him be humble kindly.
Let him be gentle, close and zealous,
let him be modest, generous and gracious; against the torrent of the world, let him be watchful,
let him not be reproachful; against the brood of the world, let him be warlike.
The jewel of baptism and communion, let him receive it.
Let him be constant at prayer,
his canonical hours let him not forget;
let him bow it down without insolence or contention.
A hundred genuflections for him at the Beata at the beginning of the day... thrice fifty psalms with a hundred genuflections every hour of vespers.
A genuflection thrice, earnestly, after going in past the altar rail, without frivolity and without excitement, going into the presence of the king of the angels.
A clean house for the guests and a big fire,
washing and bathing for them,
and a couch without sorrow.
Death
According to the Annals of Innisfallen, which draws on records originally compiled at Emly, Ailbe died in 528.
Patrick Duffy tells Ailbe's story.
Mythology and Etymology
Both Ailbe's name and the place where he founded his church have significant associations in their etymology and mythology.Emly, Imleach Iubhair, perhaps takes its name, "the lakeside of the yew tree", from a pre-Christian sacred yew tree at the place.
Ailbe itself was the name of a divine warhound guarding the boundaries of Leinster. Places such as Magh Ailbe, plain of Ailbe, on which stood the Lia Ailbe, the Standing Stone of Ailbe, are witness to this.
The name Ailbe is derived from the Irish words Ail (rock) and beo (alive). Ailbe was born to a maidservant in the house of Cronan, Lord of Eliach in County Tipperary. Cronan, for reasons unrevealed, disapproved of his birth and directed that he be exposed to 'dogs and wild beasts, that he might be devoured'. But, instead, the baby was found hidden under a rock (Ail) and alive (beo), by a she-wolf who reared him among her own cubs. The saint repaid the kindness toward the end of his life when a she-wolf chased by hunters took refuge with him. He ordered that it should not be harmed, and would come to eat with him each day.
The name Ailbe is Latinized as Albeus, and sometimes anglicized as Elvis!
Received the Faith from South Wales
Ailbe is frequently named as leader among the four "Palladian bishops" all of whom ministered in the south of Ireland - Ailbe of Emly, Ibar of Begerin, Declan of Ardmore and Ciaran of Saighir - before or around the time of the arrival of St Patrick.
Since Ailbe was also known in South Wales, it seems certain that before Patrick there was a movement of Christians between the south of Wales and the south of Ireland. And it may be from this movement that Ailbe received his Christian faith. Another source says he baptised St David of Wales.
Friendship with Declan: visit to Rome
Ailbe was particularly friendly with Declan. The Life of Declan says: "They loved one another like brothers..." The Life also says they both went to Rome and were ordained bishop by the Pope. (Unlikely!) But it could be an indication of a later claim for authority for him or his see.
Emly and Cashel
The Life of Declan also deferentially declares: "Humble Ailbe was the Patrick of Munster...." He was considered to be one of the pre-Patrician saints of Ireland
The church Ailbe founded at Emly in south-west Tipperary became a centre of formation for other well-known monastic saints, such as Ss Colman of Dromore and Enda of Aran island.Ailbe is said to have petitioned King Aengus of Cashel for a site for a monastery for Enda. Unaware that he had islands in his domain, Aengus that night dreamed about them and granted them to Enda. (The ancient connection between the Aran Islands and the region of his kingdom may be discerned in the name Tiobarad Árann).
Another interesting story is that Ailbe's tomb, long forgotten, was discovered in Cashel in 580 when St Brendan of Birr came on a visit to inaugurate the new king.
Emly later became an important ecclesiastical centre and diocese. In 1718 it was united with Cashel and St Ailbe is the patron of the joint archdiocese.
Ailbe's monastic Rule
A ninth century monastic rule bears Ailbe's name. It consists of 56 verses in Irish, including these instructions on how a monk should be:
Let him be steady,let him not be restless,
let him be wise, learned, pious;
let him be vigilant; let him be a slave; let him be humble kindly.
Let him be gentle, close and zealous,
let him be modest, generous and gracious; against the torrent of the world, let him be watchful,
let him not be reproachful; against the brood of the world, let him be warlike.
The jewel of baptism and communion, let him receive it.
Let him be constant at prayer,
his canonical hours let him not forget;
let him bow it down without insolence or contention.
A hundred genuflections for him at the Beata at the beginning of the day... thrice fifty psalms with a hundred genuflections every hour of vespers.
A genuflection thrice, earnestly, after going in past the altar rail, without frivolity and without excitement, going into the presence of the king of the angels.
A clean house for the guests and a big fire,
washing and bathing for them,
and a couch without sorrow.
Death
According to the Annals of Innisfallen, which draws on records originally compiled at Emly, Ailbe died in 528.
__________________
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Memorable Wisdom for Today
“I've learned that people will forget what you said,
people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
-Maya Angelou -
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Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 12th September, 2026
Saturday of 23rd week in Ordinary Time, Year 2
Optional Memorial of The Most Holy Name of Mary
Feasts of the Day: 12 Sept; 1 –St Ailbe, bishop
Feasts of the Day: 12 Sept; 2 - The Most Holy Name of Mary
C/f A short look at this saint’s life can be found below todays' Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 10:14-22
Though there are many of us, we form a single body because we all have a share in this one loaf.
My dear brothers, why you must keep clear of idolatry. I say to you as sensible people: judge for yourselves what I am saying. The blessing-cup that we bless is a communion with the blood of Christ, and the bread that we break is a communion with the body of Christ. The fact that there is only one loaf means that, though there are many of us, we form a single body because we all have a share in this one loaf.Look at the other Israel, the race, where those who eat the sacrifices are in communion with the altar. Does this mean that the food sacrificed to idols has a real value, or that the idol itself is real? Not at all. It simply means that the sacrifices that they offer they sacrifice to demons who are not God. I have no desire to see you in communion with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot take your share at the table of the Lord and at the table of demons.
Do we want to make the Lord angry; are we stronger than he is?
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 115: 12-13, 17-18
Response A thanksgiving sacrifice I make to you, O Lord.
1. How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me?
The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord's name. Response
2. A thanksgiving sacrifice I make: I will call on the Lord's name.
My vows to the Lord I will fulfil before all his people. Response
Gospel Acclamation Jn 14:6
Alleluia, Alleluia!
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord;
no one can come to the Father except through me .
Alleluia !
Or Jn 14:23
Alleluia, alleluia!
If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him .
Alleluia !
GOSPEL
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 6:43-49
'Why do you call me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?
Jesus said to his disciples:'There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit. For every tree can be told by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, nor gather grapes from brambles. A good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart; a bad man draws what is bad from the store of badness. For a man's words flow out of what fills his heart.
'Why do you call me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?
'Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and acts on them-I will show you what he is like. He is like the man who when he built his house dug, and dug deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built.
But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man who built his house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!'
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Saturday, Twenty Third Week in Ordinary Time Luke 6:43-49
We occasionally have significant storms of wind and rain in Ireland, even in July and August. Rivers overflow and houses are inundated. We cannot but feel for the people who have to face into dealing with their flooded homes. Today’s gospel reading shows that Jesus was familiar with the phenomenon of rivers in flood bearing down on people’s homes. However, Jesus envisages a situation where some people’s homes are not only flooded by rivers that overflow but actually collapse to the ground. In that scenario the fortunate houses are those that flood but remain standing nonetheless. Jesus explains that the difference between the houses that collapse and those that remain standing has to do with the quality of the foundation. Was the house built on rock or on soft soil? Jesus applies that phenomenon to our personal lives.
How solid is the foundation on which our life is built? Is it solid enough to withstand the destructive forces that we sometimes encounter on our life journey? In the gospel reading, Jesus offers himself as the firm foundation, the rock, on which our lives can be safely built. Listening to his words and seeking to live out his words in the power of the Spirit will give a security to our lives that allows us to remain upright in bad times as well as good. Jesus suggests in the gospel reading that, just as builders need to build for the worst of times, we need to build our lives for the worst of times too. Jesus offers himself to us as the reliable resource and foundation for the ups and downs of life. Our seeking him out in response to his loving relationship with us will ensure that, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, when we pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm us.
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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, 1966/published by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
The Gospel Reflection is available with our thanks from Reflections on the Weekday Readings: My Words Will Not Pass Away by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications c/f www.messenger.ie/bookstore
Saint of the Day: 12 Sept; –St Ailbe, bishop
St Ailbe is regarded as the patron saint of Munster and his church at Emly and was for long the province's chief ecclesiastical centre. He is the patron saint of the joint archdiocese of Cashel and Emly with the see at Thurles. (The last bishop of Emly was Bl Terence Albert O'Brien O.P., martyred 1651.)
Paddy Duffy tells St Ailbe's story.
Mythology and Etymology
Both Ailbe's name and the place where he founded his church have significant associations in their etymology and mythology.Emly, Imleach Iubhair, perhaps takes its name, "the lakeside of the yew tree", from a pre-Christian sacred yew tree at the place.
Ailbe itself was the name of a divine warhound guarding the boundaries of Leinster. Places such as Magh Ailbe, plain of Ailbe, on which stood the Lia Ailbe, the Standing Stone of Ailbe, are witness to this.
The name Ailbe is derived from the Irish words Ail (rock) and beo (alive). Ailbe was born to a maidservant in the house of Cronan, Lord of Eliach in County Tipperary. Cronan, for reasons unrevealed, disapproved of his birth and directed that he be exposed to 'dogs and wild beasts, that he might be devoured'. But, instead, the baby was found hidden under a rock (Ail) and alive (beo), by a she-wolf who reared him among her own cubs. The saint repaid the kindness toward the end of his life when a she-wolf chased by hunters took refuge with him. He ordered that it should not be harmed, and it wasn't and came to eat with him each day. The name Ailbe is Latinized as Albeus, and sometimes anglicized as Elvis.
Received the Faith from South Wales
Ailbe is frequently named as leader among the four "Palladian bishops" all of whom ministered in the south of Ireland - Ailbe of Emly, Ibar of Begerin, Declan of Ardmore and Ciaran of Saighir - before or around the time of the arrival of St Patrick. Since Ailbe was also known in South Wales, it seems certain that before Patrick there was a movement of Christians between the south of Wales and the south of Ireland. And it may be from this movement that Ailbe received his Christian faith. Another source says he baptised St David of Wales.
Friendship with Declan: visit to Rome
Ailbe was particularly friendly with Declan. In the 'Life of Declan' it says: "They loved one another like brothers..." The Life also says they both went to Rome and were ordained bishop by the Pope. (Unlikely!) But it could be an indication of a later claim for authority for him or his see.
Emly and Cashel
The 'Life of Declan' also deferentially declares: "Humble Ailbe was the Patrick of Munster...." one of the pre-Patrician saints of Ireland
The church Ailbe founded at Emly in south-west Tipperary became a centre of formation for other well-known monastic saints, such as Ss Colman of Dromore and Enda of Aran island.Ailbe is said to have petitioned King Aengus of Cashel for a site for a monastery for Enda. Unaware that he had islands in his domain, Aengus that night dreamed about them and granted them to Enda. (The ancient connection between the Aran Islands and the region of his kingdom may be discerned in the name Tiobarad Árann).
Another interesting story is that Ailbe's tomb, long forgotten, was discovered in Cashel in 580 when St Brendan of Birr came on a visit to inaugurate the new king.
Emly later became an important ecclesiastical centre and diocese. In 1718 it was united with Cashel and St Ailbe is the patron of the joint archdiocese.
Ailbe's monastic Rule
A ninth century monastic rule bears Ailbe's name.
It consists of 56 verses in Irish, including these instructions on how a monk should be:
Let him be steady,let him not be restless,
let him be wise, learned, pious;
let him be vigilant; let him be a slave; let him be humble kindly.
Let him be gentle, close and zealous,
let him be modest, generous and gracious;
against the torrent of the world, let him be watchful,
let him not be reproachful;
against the brood of the world, let him be warlike.
The jewel of baptism and communion, let him receive it.
Let him be constant at prayer,
his canonical hours let him not forget;
let him bow it down without insolence or contention.
A hundred genuflections for him at the Beata at the beginning of the day... thrice fifty psalms with a hundred genuflections every hour of vespers.
A genuflection thrice, earnestly, after going in past the altar rail, without frivolity and without excitement, going into the presence of the king of the angels.
A clean house for the guests and a big fire,
washing and bathing for them, and a couch without sorrow.
Death
According to the Annals of Innisfallen, which draws on records originally compiled at Emly, Ailbe died in 528.
Feasts of the Day: 12 Sept; 2 - The Most Holy Name of Mary.
This feast was included in the Roman calendar in 1684 to celebrate the victory over the Turks at Vienna, Suppressed in a Calendar revision in 1969, and later restored as an optional Memorial in 2002
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Memorable Wisdom for Today
“I've learned that people will forget what you said,
people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
-Maya Angelou -
******************************
Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 12th September, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig Coirintigh 10:14-22
Tá aon chorp amháin toisc go gcaithimid go léir an t-aon arán amháin.
A chairde ionúine, seachnaígí an t-íoladhradh. Ós ag caint le daoine stuama atáim, breithnígí féin a bhfuil agam á rá: Cupa an altaithe a bheannaímid, nach páirtíocht i bhfuil Chríost é? Agus an t-arán a bhrisimid nach páirtiocht i gcorp Chríost é? Ós aon arán amháin é, níl ionainne dá líonmhaire sinn ach aon chorp amháin toisc go gcaithimid go léir an t-aon arán amháin.
Breathnaígí Iosrael na staire: an chuid acu a chaitheann an bia íobartha nach mbíonn siad páirteach san altóir? Céard atá i gceist agam? Go bhfuil brí ar bith leis an mbia a ofráiltear d’íola nó go bhfuil brí ar bith leis an íol? Ní hea go deimhin; ach toisc gur do dheamhain agus nach do Dhia a ofrálann na págánaigh a gcuid íobairtí, níor mhaith liom go mbeadh aon pháirt agaibhse leis na deamhain sin. Ní féidir daoibh cupa an Tiarna a ól agus cupa na ndeamhan a ól chomh maith. Ní féidir daoibh suí chun bord an Tiarna agus suí chun bord na ndeamhan chomh maith. An ag griogadh an Tiarna chun éada atáimid? Nó an amhlaidh is treise sinn ná é?
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 115: 12-13, 17-18
Freagra Ofrálfaidh mé íobairt an bhuíochais duit, a Thiarna
1. Cén cúiteamh a dhéanfaidh mé leis an Tiarna ina ndearna sé dom?
Glacfaidh mé cupán an tslánaithe, gairfidh mé ainm an Tiarna. Freagra
2. Ofrálfaidh mé íobairt an bhuíochais duit; gairfidh mé ainm an Tiarna.
Díolfaidh mé mo mhóideanna leis an Tiarna i bhfianaise a phobail. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 6:43-49 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Cad chuige a nglaonn sibh orm ‘A Thiarna, a Thiarna,’ agus nach ndéanann sibh a ndeirim?
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail:
Óir níl crann maith a thugann drochthoradh, ná fós drochchrann a thugann toradh fónta. Óir is ar a thoradh féin a aithnítear gach crann. Óir ní bhaintear fígí de dheilgneach, ná ní phioctar fíonchaor de dhriseog. Tógann an dea-dhuine an dea-rud amach as dea-stór a chroí, agus tógann an drochdhuine an drochrud amach as a dhrochstór. Óir is as iomarca a chroí a labhraíonn a bhéal.
Ach cad chuige a nglaonn sibh orm ‘A Thiarna, a Thiarna,’ agus nach ndéanann sibh a ndeirim?
“Gach aon duine a thagann chugam agus a chluineann mo bhriathra agus a dhéanann dá réir, taispeánfaidh mé daoibh cé leis a bhfuil sé cosúil. Tá sé cosúil le fear ag tógáil tí, a rinne romhar agus tochailt agus a leag an bonn ar an gcarraig. Agus ar theacht don tuile, bhrúcht an chaise i gcoinne an tí sin, ach níor fhéad sé é bhogadh ar a fheabhas a bhí sé tógtha.
“An té, áfach, a chuala agus nach ndearna, tá sé cosúil le fear a thóg teach ar an talamh gan bonn faoi, gur bhrúcht an tuile ina choinne, agus thit ar a chéile láithreach; agus ba mhór é treascairt an tí sin.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 13th September, 2026
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus ) 27:30-28:7
Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you, and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.
Resentment and anger, these are foul things, and both are found with the sinner. He who exacts vengeance will experience the vengeance of the Lord, who keeps strict account of sin. Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you, and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.If a man nurses anger against another, can he then demand compassion from the Lord? Showing no pity for a man like himself, can he then plead for his own sins? Mere creature of flesh, he cherishes resentment; who will forgive him his sins?
Remember the last things, and stop hating,
remember dissolution and death, and live by the commandments.
Remember the commandments, and do not bear your neighbour ill-will;
remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook the offence.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 102: 1-4. 9-12. R/ v 8
Response The Lord is compassion and love,
slow to anger and rich in mercy.
1. My soul, give thanks to the Lord, all my being, bless his holy name.
My soul, give thanks to the Lord and never forget all his blessings. Response
2. It is he who forgives all your guilt, who heals everyone of your ills,
who redeems your life from the grave, who crowns you with love and compassion. Response
3. His wrath will come to an end; he will not be angry for ever.
He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults. Response
4. For as the heavens are high above the earth so strong is his love for those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west so far does he remove our sins. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 14:7-9
Alive or dead we belong to the Lord.
The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord;
and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord.
This explains why Christ both died and came to life, it was so that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation 1 Sam 3:9
Alleluia, alleluia!
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening: you have the message of eternal life.
Alleluia!
Or Jn 13: 34
Alleluia, alleluia!
I give you a new commandment: love one another,
just as I have loved you, says the Lord.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 18:21-35
I tell you, not seven, but seventy-seven times.
Peter went up to Jesus and said,
'Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?'
Jesus answered, 'Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.
'And so the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants. When the reckoning began, they brought him a man who owed ten thousand talents; but he had no means of paying, so his master gave orders that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, to meet the debt. At this, the servant threw himself down at his master's feet. "Give me time" he said "and I will pay the whole sum."
And the servant's master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt.
Now as this servant went out, he happened to meet a fellow servant who owed him one hundred denarii; and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him.
"Pay what you owe me" he said. His fellow servant fell at his feet and implored him, saying, "Give me time and I will pay you". But the other would not agree; on the contrary, he had him thrown into prison till he should pay the debt.
His fellow servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the whole affair to him. Then the master sent for him.
"You wicked servant," he said "I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?" And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt.
And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless
you each forgive your brother from your heart.'
The Gospel of the Lord Glory to you, O Lord
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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, 13th September, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as an Leabhar Shíorach 27:30-28:7
Maith do do chomharsa an éagóir a dhéanann sé, agus nuair a dhéanfaidh tú guí, maithfear do pheacaí duit.
Fearg agus fraoch, is duáilcí déistineacha iad sin,
agus gheofar iad i seilbh an pheacaigh.
An té a imríonn díoltas, imreoidh an Tiarna díoltas air,
mar coinníonn sé cuntas cruinn ar a pheacaí.
Maith do do chomharsa an éagóir a dhéanann sé,
agus nuair a dhéanfaidh tú guí, maithfear do pheacaí duit.
Má choimeádann duine olc istigh do dhuine eile,
conas is féidir leis leigheas a lorg ar an Tiarna?
Mura ndéanann sé trócaire ar dhuine cosúil leis féin,
conas is féidir leis maithiúnas a iarraidh ina pheacaí féin?
Níl ann féin ach feoil agus cothaíonn sé fuath; cé a mhaithfidh a pheacaí dó?
Cuimhnigh ar do chríoch dheireanach, agus scoir den fhuath;
cuimhnigh ar an scrios agus an bás, agus mair de réir na n-aitheanta.
Cuimhnigh ar na haitheanta agus ná bíodh olc agat do do chomharsa;
cuimhnigh ar chonradh an Té is Airde, agus ná tóg ceann den aineolas.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 102: 1-4. 9-12. R/ v 8
Freagra Is grámhar trócaireach é an Tiarna,
foighneach agus lán dé cheansacht.
1. Gabh buíochas leis an Tiarna, a anam liom, beannaíodh a bhfuil istigh ionam a ainm naofa.
Gabh buíochas leis an Tiarna, a an am liom, is ná déan dearmad da thíolací go léir. Freagra
2. Eisean a mhaitheann do chionta go léir, a shlánaíonn d'easláintí go léir,
a fhuasclaíonn do bheatha on mbás, a chorónaíonn thú le grá is le trua. Freagra
3. Ní bheidh sé go míchéata i gcónaí, ní bheidh sé i bhfeirg de shíor.
Ní de réir ár bpeacaí a roinneann sé linn: ní de réir ár gcionta a chúitíonn sé sinn. Freagra
4. Óir ní airdé neamh os cionn talún ná méid a bhuanghrá do lucht a eaglaithe;
ní faide an t-oirthear ón iarthar ná an fad a chuireann sé ár gcionta uainn[. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 14:7-9
Má mhairimid beo nó más bás a fhaighimid is don Tiarna a fhaighimid bás chomh maith.
A bhráithre, ní dó féin a mhaireann aon duine againn ná ní dó féin a fhaigheann sé bás. Má mhairimid beo is don Tiarna a mhairimid, agus más bás a fhaighimid is don Tiarna a fhaighimid bás chomh maith. Cibé acu beo nó marbh dúinn, mar sin, is leis an Tiarna sinn. Mar is chuige seo a fuair Críost bás agus a d’éirigh beo: chun go mbeadh tiarnas ar bheo agus ar mhairbh araon aige.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa 1Sam3:9, Eo 6:68
Alleluia, alleluia!
Labhair, a Thiarna, tá do sheirbhíseach ag éisteacht.
Is agatsa atá briathra na beatha síoraí.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 18:21-35
Ní go dtí seacht n-uaire a deirimse leat ach go dtí seacht n-uaire seachtód.
Tháinig Peadar chuig Íosa ansin agus dúirt leis:
“A Thiarna, cé mhéad uair ba cheart dom pardún a thabhairt do mo bhráthair nuair a chiontaíonn i m’aghaidh? Go dtí seacht n-uaire?”
Dúirt Íosa leis: “Ní go dtí seacht n-uaire a deirimse leat ach go dtí seacht n-uaire seachtód.
“Agus dá réir sin is iad dála ríocht na bhflaitheas mar a bhí ag rí arbh áil leis cuntais a réiteach lena chuid seirbhíseach. Agus i dtosach an réitigh dó, tugadh chuige duine a raibh deich míle tallann amuigh air. Agus ó tharla gan an t-íoc a bheith aige, d’ordaigh an maistir é a dhíol, agus a bhean agus a chlann agus a raibh aige, agus an t-íoc a dhéanamh. Mar sin, chaith an seirbhíseach é féin ar lár, agus ag umhlú dó dúirt: ‘Bíodh foighne agat liom a mháistir, agus íocfaidh mé an t-iomlán leat.’
Agus le barr trua, scaoil máistir an tseirbhísigh sin uaidh é agus mhaith na fiacha dó. Ag dul amach don seirbhíseach sin, casadh air duine dá chomhsheirbhísigh a raibh céad déanar aige féin air, agus rug sé greim scóige air ag rá: ‘Íoc a bhfuil amuigh ort!’ Mar sin, chaith a chomhsheirbhíseach é féin ar lár ag achainí air: ‘Bíodh foighne agat liom,’ ar seisean, ‘agus íocfaidh mé leat é.’ Ach níorbh áil leis siúd é gan dul agus é theilgean i bpríosún nó go n-íocfadh sé na fiacha.
Nuair a chonaic a chomhsheirbhísigh an méid sin, ghabh buaireamh mór iad, agus chuaigh siad ag insint an scéil ar fad dá máistir. Chuir an máistir fios air: ‘A sheirbhísigh mhallaithe,’ ar seisean, ‘mhaith mé féin duitse na fiacha úd ar fad mar go ndearna tú achainí orm. Nár cheart go ndéanfása mar an gcéanna trócaire ar do chomhsheirbhíseach faoi mar a rinne mise trócaire ort?’
Agus le barr feirge thug a mháistir suas do na céastúnaigh é nó go n-íocfadh sé na fiacha leis go hiomlán.
Sin é freisin mar a dhéanfaidh m’Athair neamhaí libhse ach mura maitheannm gach duine agaibh dá bhráthair féin ó chroí.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
