Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Jun 23 - St Thomas More (1478-1535) martyr,
Summary of St Thomas Moore: Pope John Paul II proclaimed Thomas More as patron of statesmen and politicians. Along with St John Fisher, the only English bishop not to capitulate to King Henry VIII's demands, we celebrate his feast today.
Bishop Martin Drennan explains why St Thomas More is put forward as a model.
Thomas More (1478-1535) was an English lawyer, writer and politician. Born in London, he studied law at Oxford and entered the English Parliament in 1504. He married Jane Holt and they had four children. Like his friend Erasmus of Rotterdam, he was renowned as a humanist scholar. He coined the word 'utopia', the name - it can mean either "good place" or "no place"! - given to an ideal imaginary island whose political system he described in a book of that title in 1516. When Henry VIII became king, he sought Thomas as his advisor and he became Chancellor of England in 1529. In 1530 he refused to sign a letter asking the Pope to annul Henry's marriage to Catherine of Arragon and resigned in 1532. He now had neither job nor income, but both he and Bishop John Fisher of Rochester refused to acknowledge Henry as Supreme Head of the Church of England. This eventually led to their execution in 1535. Both were canonised in 1935. During the Jubilee Year 2000 Pope John Paul II declared St Thomas More patron of lawyers, statesmen and politicians.
Support
In the course of his address Pope John Paul II said: 'At the beginning of the new century and new millennium, those responsible for public life are being faced with demanding responsibilities. It is precisely with this in mind that I have wished to offer you the support of a special patron, the martyr Saint Thomas More.
'Thomas More's life is truly an example for you who are called to serve humanity and society in the civic and political sphere. The eloquent testimony which he bore is as timely as ever at a historical moment which presents crucial challenges to everyone involved in governing.
'As a statesman he always placed himself at the service of the person, especially the weak and the poor. Honour and wealth had no sway over him, guided as he was by an outstanding sense of fairness. Above all, he never compromised his conscience, even to the point of making the supreme sacrifice so as not to disregard its voice. Invoke him, follow him, imitate him! His intercession will not fail - even in the most difficult situations - to bring you strength, good naturedness, patience and perseverance.'
Noble Calling
Pope John Paul II strongly affirms the noble calling of Christians to serve in the sphere of politics and law making and goes on to say that for a faithful living out of their calling as public servants Christians need to be clear about their convictions if they are to have the courage to live by them.
Thomas More is a model of someone who based his choices on Christian principles. One of his best known statements is: 'When a statesman forsakes his own private conscience for the sake of his public duty he leads his country by a short road to chaos.'
This is the wisdom of a man who knew how to put loyalty to God in first place. This is the conviction of a man who was a servant of his people but God's servant first. For Thomas had the wisdom to understand that if our relationship with God is distorted then our relationship with people can't be right. He knew that if a nation is to have good laws those laws begin from respect for the law of God.
Respect for life
On this point Pope John Paul II says, 'A law that does not respect the right to life from conception to the natural death of every human being, whatever his or her condition - healthy or ill, still in the embryonic stage, elderly or close to death - is not a law in harmony with the divine plan. Christian legislators may neither contribute to the formulation of such a law nor may they approve it in parliamentary assembly.' This offers a clear guideline for lawgivers as they respond to new scientific discoveries in the areas of biology and genetics. Consequently, legislators have to remember that human life is a gift of God to be respected, never an object to be exploited for the sake of short-term needs.
Jubilee Day
A second event from the Jubilee Year is significant for helping us to understand what the Pope invites us to do in our prayers of intercession. On November 4th, 2000, a Jubilee Day for Members of Parliament and Government Leaders, the Holy Father recalled a statement of Pope Paul VI in which he stressed that 'politics is a demanding way of living the Christian commitment to serve others'. He went on to call on Christians who are engaged in politics to act selflessly, to work for the good of one and all, especially for the less fortunate members of society.
Justice
As part of that appeal he invited leaders to make some gesture of clemency to prisoners during the Jubilee Year, one that would encourage them on the path of conversion and give them an incentive to sincerely accept the values of justice. He went on to say that justice must be the fundamental concern of political leaders and legislators, a justice which aims at creating conditions of equal opportunity among people. True justice builds solidarity; it fosters good relationships and it is inclusive. 'Peace is the fruit of justice,' he says. The justice which brings peace serves to oppose all violence against human life at every stage of its development. In working for justice the tasks of politics and lawmaking are to formulate and approve laws that promote the real good of every person. To fulfil their responsibilities to God, the sole master of human life, legislators need wisdom.
Prudence
In a pluralistic society Christian lawmakers are sometimes faced with requests for legislation that run contrary to the dictates of their own conscience. New scientific discoveries in the fields of genetics and biology are posing complex problems for them. Lawmakers need Christian prudence to enable them to be faithful to the demands of their correctly formed conscience and at the same time to carry out their duties as legislators. They are called on to witness to their own faith and to be faithful to their own principles in the ever new situations which they face.
Say a Prayer for the integrity of our legislators
If our legislators are to make the Gospel of Christ their guide and be effective as a leaven in society they need our support and our prayer. The Holy Father is asking us to intercede for them so that, guided by the wisdom that God is master of all of life, their work may be fruitful as they seek to build a just future, a future where the world will continue to be civilized more and more by love.
This article first appeared in The Messenger (August 2001), a publication of the Irish Jesuits.
Bishop Martin Drennan explains why St Thomas More is put forward as a model.
Thomas More (1478-1535) was an English lawyer, writer and politician. Born in London, he studied law at Oxford and entered the English Parliament in 1504. He married Jane Holt and they had four children. Like his friend Erasmus of Rotterdam, he was renowned as a humanist scholar. He coined the word 'utopia', the name - it can mean either "good place" or "no place"! - given to an ideal imaginary island whose political system he described in a book of that title in 1516. When Henry VIII became king, he sought Thomas as his advisor and he became Chancellor of England in 1529. In 1530 he refused to sign a letter asking the Pope to annul Henry's marriage to Catherine of Arragon and resigned in 1532. He now had neither job nor income, but both he and Bishop John Fisher of Rochester refused to acknowledge Henry as Supreme Head of the Church of England. This eventually led to their execution in 1535. Both were canonised in 1935. During the Jubilee Year 2000 Pope John Paul II declared St Thomas More patron of lawyers, statesmen and politicians.Support
In the course of his address Pope John Paul II said: 'At the beginning of the new century and new millennium, those responsible for public life are being faced with demanding responsibilities. It is precisely with this in mind that I have wished to offer you the support of a special patron, the martyr Saint Thomas More.
'Thomas More's life is truly an example for you who are called to serve humanity and society in the civic and political sphere. The eloquent testimony which he bore is as timely as ever at a historical moment which presents crucial challenges to everyone involved in governing.
'As a statesman he always placed himself at the service of the person, especially the weak and the poor. Honour and wealth had no sway over him, guided as he was by an outstanding sense of fairness. Above all, he never compromised his conscience, even to the point of making the supreme sacrifice so as not to disregard its voice. Invoke him, follow him, imitate him! His intercession will not fail - even in the most difficult situations - to bring you strength, good naturedness, patience and perseverance.'
Noble Calling
Pope John Paul II strongly affirms the noble calling of Christians to serve in the sphere of politics and law making and goes on to say that for a faithful living out of their calling as public servants Christians need to be clear about their convictions if they are to have the courage to live by them.Thomas More is a model of someone who based his choices on Christian principles. One of his best known statements is: 'When a statesman forsakes his own private conscience for the sake of his public duty he leads his country by a short road to chaos.'
This is the wisdom of a man who knew how to put loyalty to God in first place. This is the conviction of a man who was a servant of his people but God's servant first. For Thomas had the wisdom to understand that if our relationship with God is distorted then our relationship with people can't be right. He knew that if a nation is to have good laws those laws begin from respect for the law of God.
Respect for life
On this point Pope John Paul II says, 'A law that does not respect the right to life from conception to the natural death of every human being, whatever his or her condition - healthy or ill, still in the embryonic stage, elderly or close to death - is not a law in harmony with the divine plan. Christian legislators may neither contribute to the formulation of such a law nor may they approve it in parliamentary assembly.' This offers a clear guideline for lawgivers as they respond to new scientific discoveries in the areas of biology and genetics. Consequently, legislators have to remember that human life is a gift of God to be respected, never an object to be exploited for the sake of short-term needs.
Jubilee Day
A second event from the Jubilee Year is significant for helping us to understand what the Pope invites us to do in our prayers of intercession. On November 4th, 2000, a Jubilee Day for Members of Parliament and Government Leaders, the Holy Father recalled a statement of Pope Paul VI in which he stressed that 'politics is a demanding way of living the Christian commitment to serve others'. He went on to call on Christians who are engaged in politics to act selflessly, to work for the good of one and all, especially for the less fortunate members of society.
JusticeAs part of that appeal he invited leaders to make some gesture of clemency to prisoners during the Jubilee Year, one that would encourage them on the path of conversion and give them an incentive to sincerely accept the values of justice. He went on to say that justice must be the fundamental concern of political leaders and legislators, a justice which aims at creating conditions of equal opportunity among people. True justice builds solidarity; it fosters good relationships and it is inclusive. 'Peace is the fruit of justice,' he says. The justice which brings peace serves to oppose all violence against human life at every stage of its development. In working for justice the tasks of politics and lawmaking are to formulate and approve laws that promote the real good of every person. To fulfil their responsibilities to God, the sole master of human life, legislators need wisdom.
Prudence
In a pluralistic society Christian lawmakers are sometimes faced with requests for legislation that run contrary to the dictates of their own conscience. New scientific discoveries in the fields of genetics and biology are posing complex problems for them. Lawmakers need Christian prudence to enable them to be faithful to the demands of their correctly formed conscience and at the same time to carry out their duties as legislators. They are called on to witness to their own faith and to be faithful to their own principles in the ever new situations which they face.
Say a Prayer for the integrity of our legislators
If our legislators are to make the Gospel of Christ their guide and be effective as a leaven in society they need our support and our prayer. The Holy Father is asking us to intercede for them so that, guided by the wisdom that God is master of all of life, their work may be fruitful as they seek to build a just future, a future where the world will continue to be civilized more and more by love.
This article first appeared in The Messenger (August 2001), a publication of the Irish Jesuits.
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Memorable Sayings for Today
When a statesman forsakes his own private conscience
for the sake of his public duty
he leads his country by a short road to chaos.'
~ St Thomas More ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 23rd June, 2025
Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1
On the Last Day all the secrets of the heart will be brought to light
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Genesis 12:1-9
Abram went as the Lord told him.
The Lord said to Abram,
'Leave your country, your family and your father's house, for the land I will show you.
I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name so famous that it will be used as a blessing.
'I will bless those who bless you:
I will curse those who slight you. All the tribes of the earth shall bless themselves by you.'So Abram went as the Lord told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had amassed and the people they had acquired in Haran. They set off for the land of Canaan, and arrived there.
Abram passed through the land as far as Shechem's holy place, the Oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said,
'It is to your descendants that I will give this land'.
So Abram built there an altar for the Lord who had appeared to him. From there, he moved on to the mountainous district east of Bethel, where he pitched his tent, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and invoked the name of the Lord. Then Abram made his way stage by stage to the Negeb.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 32
Response Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.
1. They are happy, whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen as his own.
From the heavens the Lord looks forth, he sees all the children of men. Response
2. The Lord looks on those who revere him, on those who hope in his love,
to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine. Response
3. Our soul is waiting for the Lord. The Lord is our help and our shield.
May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you. Response
Gospel Acclamation Jn 17: 17
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Your word is truth, O Lord, consecrate us in the truth.
Alleluia!
Or Heb 4: 12
Alleluia, Alleluia!
The word of God is something alive and active: it can judge the secret emotions and thoughts.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 7:1-5 Glory to you, O Lord.
Take the plank out of your own eye first.
Jesus said to his disciples:
'Do not judge, and you will not be judged; because the judgements you give are
the judgements you will get, and the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given.Why do you observe the splinter in your brother's eye and never notice the plank in your own?: How dare you say to your brother, "Let me take the splinter out of your eye", when all the time there is a plank in your own?: Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother's eye.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel Reflection Monday, Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time Matthew 7:1-5
The instinct to condemn, to portray someone in the worst possible light, is to the fore in Jesus’ teaching in our gospel reading. We are aware of it in ourselves too, if we are honest. Jesus was very aware of the human tendency to condemn and judge others. Maybe that is why he warns so strongly against this tendency, ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged’. He was also aware that none of us sees other people clearly enough to make a sound judgment about them. We are not in a position to judge. We all have the equivalent of a plank in our eye. It is a humorous image but a telling one. We can be overly concerned about the splinter in someone else’s eye while being gloriously oblivious to the plank in our own. We all know what it is like to have a piece of dust in our eye. Our eye starts to water up and the sight in that eye diminishes for a few minutes.
Jesus was very aware that we all have diminished sight when it comes to others. Some people certainly had diminished sight when it came to Jesus. They crucified him as a criminal even though he was God’s special messenger to humanity. Jesus knew all about the diminished sight in human eyes from his own experience. In today’s gospel reading, he is calling on us to work on our own clouded vision. It is the presence of sin in our lives that makes us enable to see others clearly. That is what Jesus wants us to work on. He is suggesting that there is enough to be getting on with there, for all of us, before we start attending to the faults of others.
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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 Your word is a lamp for my feet and light for my path by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 23rd June, 2025
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an Leabhar Genesis 12:1-9
D’imigh Abrám amach mar sin de réir mar a dúirt an Tiarna leis.
Dúirt an Tiarna le hAbrám:
“Imigh ó do thír féin, agus ó do mhuintir féin agus ó theach d’athar chun na tíre a thaispeánfaidh mé duit. Déanfaidh mé cine mór díot agus beannóidh mé thú agus mórfaidh mé d’ainm chomh mór sin go mbeidh sé mar bheannacht ag daoine.
Beidh mo bheannacht ar an muintir a chuirfidh beannacht ort.Beidh mo mhallacht ar an muintir a chuirfidh mallacht ort.
Agus is tríotsa a dhéanfaidh ciníocha uile An domhain iad féin a bheannú.”
D’imigh Abrám amach mar sin de réir mar a dúirt an Tiarna leis agus chuaigh Lót in éineacht leis. Bhí Abrám cúig bliana déag is trí fichid nuair a d’fhág sé Hárán. Agus thug sé leis Sáraí a bhean, agus Lót mac a dhearthár, agus a raibh de mhaoin cnuasaithe acu agus a raibh de dhaoir ina seilbh acu i Hárán. D’imíodar leo ar an mbealach go Canán. Nuair a thánadar go Canán ghabh Abrám tríd an tír go tearmann Sheicim, go Dair Mhóire. Agus bhí na Canánaigh sa tír an uair úd. Thaispeáin an Tiarna é féin d’Abrám agus dúirt:
“Is do do shíolsa a thabharfaidh mé an tír seo.”
Ansin rinne sé altóir don Tiarna a thaispeáin é féin dó. Chuaigh sé as sin go dtí sliabh soir ó Bhéitéil, mar ar chuir sé suas a bhoth agus Béitéil laistiar dó agus Háí lastoir. Rinne sé altóir don Tiarna ansin ansiúd agus ghair sé ar ainm an Tiarna. Agus bhog Abrám leis ag dul i dtreo an Neigib igcónaí.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 32
Freagra Is méanar don chine a roghnaigh sé mar oidhreacht dó féin
1. Is méanar don chine arb é an Tiarna a nDia: an cine a roghnaigh sé mar oidhreacht dó féin.
Bíonn an Tiarna ag féachaint anuas ó neamh agus breathnaíonn sé an Ádhamhchlann go léir. Freagra
2. Féachann an Tiarna ar an dream lenarb eagal é agus a chuireann a ndóchas ina bhuanghrá,
chun a n-anam a shaoradh ón mbas agus iad a bheathú le linn gorta. Freagra
3. Bíonn ár n-anam ag feitheamh leis an Tiarna; is é siúd ar gcabhair agus ár sciath;
Go dtaga do bhuanghrá orainn, a Thiarna, de réir an dóchais a chuirimid ionat. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Matha 7:1-5 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Bain ar dtús an tsail as do shúil féin.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail“Ná tugaigí breith le heagla go dtabharfaí breith oraibh; óir is de réir na breithe a thugann sibh a thabharfar breith oraibh, agus is de réir an tomhais lena dtomhaiseann sibh a thomhaisfear chugaibh.
“Cén fáth a bhfeiceann tú an cáithnín i súil do bhráthar agus nach n-airíonn tú an tsail i do shúil féin? Nó cad a bheir duit a rá le do bhráthair:
‘Fan go mbainfidh mé an cáithnín as do shúil duit’; agus sin í an tsail i do shúil féin! A bhréagchráifigh, bain ar dtús an tsail as do shúil féin, agus ansin is fearrde a fheicfidh tú an cáithnín a bhaint as súil do bhráthar.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 29th June, 2025
29/6 Ss Peter and Paul, Apostles - Solemnity|
This day in Imperial Rome, Romulus was traditionally celebrated as the founder of the city.
We, as Christians, celebrate Ss Peter and Paul as the twin founders of the Church in Rome.
They both gave their lives for their faith: Peter by crucifixion in 64 AD, Paul by beheading in c. 67 AD.
C/f A short life of these saints can be found below todays' Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11
Now I know the Lord really has saved me from Herod.
King Herod started persecuting certain members of the Church. He beheaded James the brother of John, and when he saw that this pleased the Jews he decided to arrest Peter as well. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread, and he put Peter in prison, assigning four squads of four soldiers each to guard him in turns. Herod meant to try Peter in public after the end of Passover week. All the time Peter was under guard the Church prayed to God for him unremittingly.
On the night before Herod was to try him, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with double chains, while guards kept watch at the main entrance to the prison. Then suddenly the angel of the Lord stood there, and the cell was filled with light. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him. 'Get up!' he said 'Hurry!' - and the chains fell from his hands.The angel then said, 'Put on your belt and sandals.' After he had done this, the angel next said, 'Wrap your cloak round you and follow me.'
Peter followed him, but had no idea that what the angel did was all happening in reality; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed through two guard posts one after the other, and reached the iron gate leading to the city. This opened of its own accord; they went through it and had walked the whole length of one street when suddenly the angel left him. It was only then that Peter came to himself.
'Now I know it is all true,' he said .
'The Lord really did send his angel and has saved me from Herod and from all that the Jewish people were so certain would happen to me.'
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 33:2-9
Response From all my terrors the Lord set me free.
Or The angel of the Lord rescues those who revere him.
1. I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips;
in the Lord my soul shall make its boast. The humble shall hear and be glad. Response
2. Glorify the Lord with me. Together let us praise his name.
I sought the Lord and he answered me; from all my terrors he set me free. Response
3. Look towards him and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed.
This poor man called; the Lord heard him and rescued him from all his distress. Response
4. The angel of the Lord is encamped around those who revere him, to rescue them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good. He is happy who seeks refuge in him. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the second letter of St Paul to Timothy 4:6-8 17-18
All there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me.
My life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his Appearing.
But the Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from all evil attempts on me, and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Mt 16:18
Alleluia, alleluia!
You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.
And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 16:13-19 Glory to you, O Lord.
You are Peter, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples,
'Who do people say the Son of Man is?'
And they said, 'Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'
'But you,' he said 'who do you say I am?'
Then Simon Peter spoke up, 'You are the Christ,' he said 'the Son of the living God.'
Jesus replied, 'Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man!
Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.
So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection 29/6 Ss Peter and Paul Matthew 16:13-19
Peter and Paul were two very different people who on at least one important issue in the early church were seriously at odds with one another. Peter wanted pagans who entered the church to submit to the Jewish Law, whereas Paul insisted that this was an unnecessary imposition on them.
Peter was a fisherman from Galilee, a predominately rural area.
Paul was from the university city of Tarsus, in the south of modern day Turkey.
Peter was an Aramaic speaking Jew;
Paul was a Greek speaking Jew.
Peter probably just had the very basic education of his time and place;
Paul was clearly a very well educated and literate person.
Peter, of course, knew Jesus personally and was with him throughout his public ministry.
Paul only ever encountered as the risen Lord.
Peter’s mission was primarily to preach the gospel to the Jews.
Paul’s mission was to preach the gospel primarily to pagans.
According to Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, he met Peter for the first time in the city of Jerusalem, some three years after the risen Lord appeared to Paul, ‘after three years, I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days’. No doubt, on that occasion, Peter had an opportunity to share with Paul his own experiences of Jesus during his public ministry. In spite of their many differences, they were both equally dedicated to serving the Lord.
According to the first reading, Peter was imprisoned for his work of preaching the gospel. In the second reading Paul speaks as one who is already ‘being poured away as a libation’, a drink offering in the Temple. They were each put to death because of their faith in Christ during the persecution of the church in Rome ordered by Nero, who blamed the Christians of Rome for the great fire in the city. The Lord worked very differently but very powerfully through each of them.
The Lord wishes to work through each of us and will do so in a way that is unique to each of us. The Lord needs diversity, not uniformity. Yet, he needs us to work in harmony, like the different parts of one body. Sometimes our diversity can cause tension, as sometimes happened between Peter and Paul, but such tension can be healthy and can ultimately serve the Lord’s purposes. Our tensions can be resolved if, like Peter and Paul, we keep our eyes fixed on the risen Lord whose servants we are.
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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 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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Saints of the Day: June 29, Ss Peter and Paul, Apostles
Summary of Ss Peter and Paul, Apostles: They died as martyrs at Rome under Nero, between 64-67. This pre-eminent feast day of the city of Rome has been observed on this date since the mid-third century. It commemorates the martyrdoms of Peter "the chief of the apostles" and Paul "the apostle to the Gentiles." Noted for their faith, their courage, and their leadership during the difficult days of the birth of the Church.
Today is the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, twin founders of the Church in Rome. It is the day traditionally considered in pagan Rome to be its foundation day by Romulus. Although Paul had occasion to stand up to Peter because he would not eat with Gentiles - 'I opposed him to his face, since he was manifestly in the wrong' (Gal 2:11) - they are both jointly honoured on this feast. Today is a day when the Pope confers the pallium on all the archbishops whom he has appointed in the previous year. The conversion of St Paul is celebrated on 25th January.Here Patrick Duffy looks at what the New Testament tells us about Ss Peter and Paul.
Providential Irony in Jesus's Choice of Leader?
Simon was a bit of a bungler. Is there then an irony that is providential in Jesus' choice of him as the leader of the campaign and of the community he put together to bring his salvation to the world. Simon's mission is implied in the new name that Jesus gave him, Cephas or Peter, meaning Rock.
Top of the Lists
The name, Simon who is called Peter appears at the top of every list of the apostles in the gospels. When Jesus asked, 'Who do you say I am?' Simon made the supreme confession of faith – 'You are the Christ,' he said, 'the son of the living God' (Mt 10:2-4 and 16:15-16).
Impulsive and Enthusiastic
In character, Peter is impulsive and enthusiastic - wanting to make three tents at the transfiguration on the mountain (Mt 17:4), attempting to walk on the waters and then has to be rescued by Jesus when he begins to sink (Mt 14:29-31). He denied Jesus three times, as Jesus had foretold he would (Mt 26:69-75).
Reinstated and Mission
Jesus, however, takes special care to reinstate Peter as leader after the resurrection, asking three times "Do you love me?" and telling him, “Feed my sheep" (Jn 21:15-17).
The mysterious and providential character of Peter's (and perhaps everybody's) life comes out in the words Jesus then spoke according to John's gospel: I tell you most solemnly, when you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go (Jn 21:18).
Pentecost, Imprisonment and Escape
At Pentecost Peter surprised the people in Jerusalem with the power of the words he spoke about Jesus’s resurrection (Acts 2:40-41). Later he was imprisoned by Herod Agrippa, but had a miraculous escape (Acts 12:1-11).
Opposed by Paul
At Antioch, however, Peter gave into racial prejudice, declining to eat with the pagans, but Paul boldly corrected him. He tells us:
'I opposed him to his face, since he was manifestly in the wrong' (Gal 2:11).
Death and Memory
Tradition has it that Peter came to Rome and was martyred under Nero around 64 AD. The emperor Constantine built a basilica to house his tomb. The present (16th century) basilica is now on that same site. Twentieth century excavations discovered the tomb of Peter, though it is impossible to say the bones are his.
Petrine Ministry
Today in ecumenical circles there is a growing sense that the seminal text of Matt 16:13-19 where Jesus gives Peter authority to bind and loose can and should be interpreted in the sense of a Petrine ministry of leadership and stability in the Church. Peter is the chief steward in the palace of the kingdom with a role of rescuing from death's dominion.
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Memorable Saying for Today
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain
~ St Paul, (Philippians 2:3) ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 29th June, 2025
Nn. Peader agus Pól , Aspail. Sollúntas
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as Leabhar Gníomhartha na nAspal 12:1-11
Tá a fhios agam anois go fíor gur gur fhuascail sé ó lámha Héaróid mé.
Sna laetanta sin d’imir Héaród rí an lámh throm ar chuid de bhaill na hEaglaise. Chuir sé Séamas deartháir Eoin chun báis leis an gclaíomh. Nuair a chonaic sé gur thaitin sin leis na Giúdaigh, chinn sé ar Pheadar a ghabháil chomh maith. Laethanta an tslimaráin a bhí ann, agus tar éis dó é a ghabháil, chuir sé i bpríosún é agus d’fhág ceithre scuaid saighdiúirí á choimeád agus é de rún aige é a thabhairt os comhair an phobail tar éis na Cásca. Fad a bhí Peadar á choimeád sa phríosún, áfach, bhí urnaí á déanamh gan staonadh chun Dé ar a shon ag an Eaglais.
An oíche sula raibh Héaród chun é a thabhairt os comhair an phobail, bhí Peadar ina chodladh idir beirt shaighdiúirí agus dhá shlabhra faoi agus bhí garda os comhair an gheata ag faire an phríosúin. Go tobann sheas aingeal ón Tiarna os a chomhair agus las solas sa seomra. Bhuail an t-aingeal Peadar sa chliathán agus dhúisigh é á rá:“Éirigh i do sheasamh go tapa.” Leis sin thit na slabhraí dá lámha.
“Fáisc ort do chrios agus cuir ort do bhróga,” arsa an t-aingeal leis, agus rinne sé amhlaidh.
Cuir umat do bhrat,” arsa an t-aingeal arís leis, “agus lean mise.”
Lean sé amach é agus gan a fhios aige gur fíor a raibh á dhéanamh ag an aingeal; cheap sé gur aisling a bhí á feiceáil aige. Ghluais siad thar an gcéad gharda agus thar an dara garda nó gur tháinig siad go dtí an geata iarainn a sheolann chun na cathrach. D’oscail an geata dóibh uaidh féin agus amach leo. Shiúil siad rompu fad sráide agus ansin de phreab, d’imigh an t-aingeal as a radharc.
Nuair a tháinig Peadar chuige féin, dúirt sé:
“Tá a fhios agam anois go fíor gur chuir an Tiarna a aingeal chugam agus gur fhuascail sé ó lámha Héaróid mé agus ó gach ní dá raibh an pobal Giúdach ag súil leis.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 33:2-9
Freagra Fuasclaíonn aingeal an Tiarna lucht a eaglaithe.
1. Beannoidh mé an Tiarna gach uile thráth, beidh a mholadh ar mo béal de shíor.
Déanann m'anam mórtas as an Tiarna: cluineadh lucht na huirísle is d’eanaidís lúcháir. Freagra
2. Móraigí an Tiarna mar aon liom, agus adhraimis a ainm in éineacht.
Chuardaigh mé an Tiarna is d'fhreagair sé mé, agus shaor mé ar gach uile eagla. Freagra
3. Feachaigí ina threo chun go mbeadh gliondar oraibh is nach mbeadh luisne náire ar bhur n-aghaidh.
Scread an t-ainniseoir is chuala an Tiarna é, agus shaor sé é óna anacraí go léir. Freagra
4. Cuireann aingeal an Tiarna campa thart timpeall lucht a eaglaithe, is fuasclaíonn iad.
Blaisig’i agus féachaigí a fheabhas atá an Tiarna. Is aoibhinn don fhear a thriallann chuige. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as an dara Litir Naomh Pól chuig Timóteas 4:6-8 17-18
Tá craobh na fíréantachta in áirithe dom feasta.
A bhráithre ionúin, I dtaca liom féin de, táim do mo dhoirteadh amach cheana féin mar a bheadh deoch íobartha agus tá uair na scarúna buailte liom. Tá an comhrac maith tugtha agam, tá mo rás rite, tá an creideamh coinnithe agam. Tá craobh na fíréantachta in áirithe dom feasta agus bronnfaidh an Tiarna féin, an breitheamh cóir, orm í an lá sin agus ní ormsa amháin é ach ar an uile dhuine a bheidh ag tnúth lena thaibhsiú.
Sheas an Tiarna liom, áfach, agus thug an neart dom go bhfógróinn an teachtaireacht ina hiomláine agus go n-éisteodh na gintlithe uile léi. Saoradh mé ó bhéal an leoin agus saorfaidh an Tiarna mé ó gach olc agus tabharfaidh sé slán chun a ríochta ar neamh mé, moladh go deo leis. Amen.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 21: 17
Alleluia, alleluia!
A Thiarna, tá fios gach ní agat. Tá a fhios agat go bhfuil grá agam duit.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Matha 16:13-19 Glóir duit, a Thiarna
Is tú Peadar, agus tabharfaidh mé duit eochracha ríocht na bhflaitheas.
Ar theacht isteach i gceantar Chéasaráia Philib dó, d’fhiafraigh Íosa dá chuid deisceabal:
“Cé hé a deir na daoine Mac an Duine?”
Dúirt siad: “Deir cuid acu Eoin Baiste; cuid eile acu Éilias; tuilleadh acu Irimia nó duine de na fáithe.”
Dúirt sé leo: “Ach cé a deir sibhse mé?”
Dúirt Síomón Peadar á fhreagairt: “Is tú an Críost, Mac Dé bheo.”
D’fhreagair Íosa agus dúirt sé leis:
“Is méanar duit, a Shíomóin Bar Ióna, óir ní fuil agus feoil a d’fhoilsigh duit é ach m’Athair atá ar neamh. Agus deirimse leatsa gur tú Peadar agus is ar an gcarraig seo a thógfaidh mé m’eaglais, agus ní bhuafaidh geataí ifrinn uirthi.
Agus tabharfaidh mé duit eochracha ríocht na bhflaitheas; rud ar bith a cheanglaíonn tú ar talamh beidh sé ceangailte ar neamh, agus rud ar bith a scaoileann tú ar talamh beidh sé scaoilte ar neamh.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
