Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Oct 17 - St Ignatius of Antioch (c.37-107) bishop and martyr
Summary: Ignatius of Antioch, is also called "Theophoros", meaning "God-bearer", was an early martyr, who is best known from the seven letters he wrote to various churches in Asia Minor with his strong theology of the humanity of Jesus and his presence in the Eucharist. He also promoted the role of the bishop as a figure of unity in the Church.
Patrick Duffy reminds us here what is known about him.
Bishop of Antioch
The city of Antioch on the Orontes was founded in 300 BC by Seleucus I, king of Syria, and named for his father Antiochus Soter, a Macedonian general. It was one of the largest in the Roman Empire. It was a key location during the early years of Christianity, and it was there that "the disciples were first called 'Christians' (Acts 11:26). Ignatius was the second or third bishop there. During the reign of the Emperor Trajan (98-117), when he was already an old man, he was brought to Rome under military guard.
Letters
On the way Ignatius stopped at Smyrna, where he was able to meet St Polycarp, then a young man. From Smyrna, he wrote four letters: to the churches at Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles and Rome. At Troas, he wrote his remaining letters to Polycarp and to the churches of Philadelphia and Smyrna.
In the Letters, Ignatius Stresses:
The humanity, the flesh and blood character, of Jesus as redeemer: "truly nailed up in the flesh for our sakes under Pontius Pilate and Herod the tetrarch" (Smyrnaens 1:2);
The reality of his presence in the Eucharist: "Take note of those who hold strange opinions on the grace of Jesus Christ which has come to us, and see how contrary their opinions are to the mind of God. . . . They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ, flesh which suffered for our sins and which that Father, in his goodness, raised up again. They who deny the gift of God are perishing in their disputes" (Smyrnaeans 6:2–7:1);
The bishop as the focal point of the unity of the Church: "Wherever the bishop appears, there let the people be; as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful to baptize or give communion without the consent of the bishop. On the other hand, whatever has his approval is pleasing to God. Thus, whatever is done will be safe and valid" (Smyrnaeans 8:2).
Longing for Martyrdom
On his way to Rome, Ignatius's only fear was that the Romans might find a way to stop his martyrdom. He leaves them in no doubt as to what he wanted:
Let me be given to the wild beasts, for through them I can attain unto God. I am God's wheat, and I am ground by the teeth of wild beasts that I may be found pure bread [of Christ.] Rather entice the wild beasts, that they may become my sepulchre and may leave no part of my body behind, so that I may not, when I am fallen asleep, be burdensome to any one. Then shall I be truly a disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world shall not so much as see my body. Ask the Lord for me, that through these instruments I may be found a sacrifice to God (Romans 4:1-2).
Death and Influence
Not long after his arrival in Rome he won his long-coveted crown of martyrdom when he was thrown to the wild animals in the Colosseum. His name is included in the Roman Canon (First Eucharistic Prayer).
Patrick Duffy reminds us here what is known about him.
Bishop of Antioch
The city of Antioch on the Orontes was founded in 300 BC by Seleucus I, king of Syria, and named for his father Antiochus Soter, a Macedonian general. It was one of the largest in the Roman Empire. It was a key location during the early years of Christianity, and it was there that "the disciples were first called 'Christians' (Acts 11:26). Ignatius was the second or third bishop there. During the reign of the Emperor Trajan (98-117), when he was already an old man, he was brought to Rome under military guard.Letters
On the way Ignatius stopped at Smyrna, where he was able to meet St Polycarp, then a young man. From Smyrna, he wrote four letters: to the churches at Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles and Rome. At Troas, he wrote his remaining letters to Polycarp and to the churches of Philadelphia and Smyrna.
In the Letters, Ignatius Stresses:
The humanity, the flesh and blood character, of Jesus as redeemer: "truly nailed up in the flesh for our sakes under Pontius Pilate and Herod the tetrarch" (Smyrnaens 1:2);
The reality of his presence in the Eucharist: "Take note of those who hold strange opinions on the grace of Jesus Christ which has come to us, and see how contrary their opinions are to the mind of God. . . . They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ, flesh which suffered for our sins and which that Father, in his goodness, raised up again. They who deny the gift of God are perishing in their disputes" (Smyrnaeans 6:2–7:1);
The bishop as the focal point of the unity of the Church: "Wherever the bishop appears, there let the people be; as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful to baptize or give communion without the consent of the bishop. On the other hand, whatever has his approval is pleasing to God. Thus, whatever is done will be safe and valid" (Smyrnaeans 8:2).
Longing for Martyrdom
On his way to Rome, Ignatius's only fear was that the Romans might find a way to stop his martyrdom. He leaves them in no doubt as to what he wanted:
Let me be given to the wild beasts, for through them I can attain unto God. I am God's wheat, and I am ground by the teeth of wild beasts that I may be found pure bread [of Christ.] Rather entice the wild beasts, that they may become my sepulchre and may leave no part of my body behind, so that I may not, when I am fallen asleep, be burdensome to any one. Then shall I be truly a disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world shall not so much as see my body. Ask the Lord for me, that through these instruments I may be found a sacrifice to God (Romans 4:1-2).
Death and Influence
Not long after his arrival in Rome he won his long-coveted crown of martyrdom when he was thrown to the wild animals in the Colosseum. His name is included in the Roman Canon (First Eucharistic Prayer).
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Memorable Sayings for Today
“Nobody stumbles into godliness, ever. It simply doesn’t happen.
There is no autopilot mode for the Christian life.
We never see people in the Bible growing in godliness by coasting along.”
~ Matt Chandler ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Friday, 18th October, 2024
Thursday of 28th week of Ordinary Time, Year 2
Memorial of St Ignatius of Antioch , bishop and martyr
FIRST READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians 1:1-10
Before the world was made, he chose us in Christ.
From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, to the saints who are faithful to Christ Jesus.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,who has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven in Christ.
Before the world was made, he chose us, chose us in Christ, to be holy and spotless,
and to live through love in his presence,
determining that we should become his adopted sons, through Jesus Christ
for his own kind purposes, to make us praise the glory of his grace, his free gift to us in the Beloved,
in whom, through his blood, we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins.
Such is the richness of the grace which he has showered on us in all wisdom and insight.
He has let us know the mystery of his, purpose, the hidden plan he so kindly made in Christ from the beginning
to act upon when the times had run their course to the end:
that he would bring everything together under Christ, as head, everything in the heavens and everything on earth.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 97
Response The Lord has shown his salvation.
1. Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders.
His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation. Response
2. The Lord has made known his salvation; has shown his justice to the nations.
He has remembered his truth
and love for the house of Israel. Response3. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Shout to the Lord all the earth, ring out your joy. Response
4. Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp with the sound of music.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn acclaim the King, the Lord. Response
Gospel Acclamation Ps 110: 7
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Your precepts, O Lord, are all of them sure; they stand firm for ever and ever.
Alleluia!
Or 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!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 11:47-54 Glory to you, O Lord
This generation will have to answer for every prophet's blood, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah.
Jesus said '
Alas for you who build the tombs of the prophets, the men your ancestors killed! In this way you both witness what your ancestors did and approve it; they did the killing, you do the building.'And that is why the Wisdom of God said,
"I will send them prophets and apostles; some they will slaughter and persecute, so that this generation will have to answer for every prophet's blood that has been shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was murdered between the altar and the sanctuary".
Yes, I tell you, this generation will have to answer for it all.
'Alas for you lawyers who have taken away the key of knowledge! You have not gone in yourselves,
and have prevented others going in who wanted to.'
When he left the house, the scribes and the Pharisees began a furious attack on him and tried to force answers from him on innumerable questions, setting traps to catch him out in something he might say.
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Thursday, Twenty Eighth Week in Ordinary Time Luke 11:47-54
There is a very striking statement at the end of today’s first reading. According to Saint Paul, God’s purpose is to bring everything together under Christ, as head, everything in the heavens and everything in the earth. There is a wonderful sweep to this vision of God’s purpose. It can excite our imagination and move our heart and intrigue our mind. Yet, we know that everything has not yet been brought together under Christ, as head. Many have yet to hear of Christ and many who have heard of him seem indifferent to him.
Indeed, in today’s gospel reading, those who heard Jesus ‘began a furious attack on him’. Such a hostile response to Christ and his message, and the community he formed about himself, has been there all through history up to and including our own time. We might wonder if God’s purpose will ever come to pass. Will everything ever be brought together under Christ as head? The risen Lord wants to work through each one of us to bring this wonderful purpose of God to pass. We can only help to bring everything under Christ as head if we ourselves in our own personal lives are allowing God to bring us under Christ as head. Only if Christ is head or Lord of our own lives can we have a role in God’s work of bringing everything under Christ as head. If, however, we can proclaim ‘Jesus is Lord’ not just with our lips but with our lives, we can never underestimate the ways that God can work through us to bring his purpose for our world to pass.
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 2022/23, c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Liturgical Readings for: Friday, 18th October, 2024
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as Litir Naomh Pól chuig na hEifísigh 1:1-10
Roimh thús an domhain roghnaigh sé sinn i gCríost
Mise Pól, aspal Íosa Críost de dheoin Dé ag beannú do na naoimh (in Eifeasas) atá dílis i gCríost.Moladh le Dia, le hAthair ár dTiarna Íosa Críost,
a bhronn orainn, i gCríost, gach tabhartas spioradálta sna flaithis.
Roimh thús an domhain roghnaigh sé sinn i gCríost
chun bheith naofa gan locht os a chomhair.
Le barr grá dúinn leag sé amach ó thús de réir mhian a thola féin
go mbeimisne inár gclann aige trí Íosa Críost,
i dtreo go molfaí an grásta as cuimse a roinn sé orainn go fras ina Mhac muirneach.
Is sa Mhac sin, as ucht a chuid fola, atá ár bhfuascailt faighte againne, maithiúnas ár gcionta,
de réir iomadúlacht an ghrásta a roinn sé orainn go fial.
Le teann eagna agus gaoise nocht sé dúinn rún a thola – de réir an chuspóra a bhí leagtha amach aige ó thús
lena chur i gcrích i gCríost, nuair a bheadh an t-ionú tagtha – mar atá, an beartas
gach a bhfuil ar neamh agus ar talamh a thabhairt le chéile faoi cheannas Chríost.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 97
Freagra D’fhoilsigh an Tiarna a shlánú.
1. Canaigí amhrán úr don Tiarna, óir rinne sé éachtaí.
Le neart a dheasláimhe is a chuisle naofa, rug sé bua dó féin. Freagra
2. D’fhoilsigh an Tiarna a shlánú; nocht sé a fhíréantacht do na náisiúin.
Chuimhnigh sé ar a bhuanghrá agus a dhílse do theaghlach Iosrael. Freagra
3. Chonaic críocha uile na cruinne slánú ár nDé.
Gairdigí sa Tiarna a thíortha uile, agus nochtaigí bhur n-áthas dó. Freagra
4. Canaigí Salm don Tiarna leis an gcruit agus le fuaim na cláirsí.
Tógaigí gártha le fuaim stoic agus adhairce don Tiarna, ár Rí. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 11:47-54 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Eileofar ar an nglúin seo fuil na bhfáithe uile a doirteadh ó fhuil Áibil go dtí fuil Zachairia.
San am sin dúirt Íosa leis na dlíodóirí
Is mairg daoibh, mar go dtógann sibh tuamaí na bhfáithe agus gurbh iad bhur n-aithreacha a mharaigh iad! Sin mar is finnéithe sibh agus mar a thugann sibh toil do bhearta bhur n-aithreacha, óir rinne siad siúd iad a mharú, agus déanann sibhse an tógáil.Agus sin é an fáth a ndúirt Eagna Dé:
‘Cuirfidh mé fáithe agus aspail chucu, agus déanfaidh siad cuid acu a mharú agus a ghéarleanúint,’ ionas go n-éileofar ar an nglúin seo fuil na bhfáithe uile a doirteadh ó thúsú an domhain, ó fhuil Áibil go dtí fuil Zachairias a cuireadh chun báis idir an altóir agus an sanctóir: sea, deirim libh, éileofar ar an nglúin seo í.
Is mairg daoibh, dlíodoirí, óir rug sibh libh eochair an eolais; ní dheachaigh sibh féin isteach, agus iad seo a bhí ag dul isteach, chuir sibh cosc leo. Agus ar dhul amach as sin dó, thosaigh na scríobhaithe agus na Fairisínigh ag cothú na mioscaise chuige thar fóir agus á shaighdeadh chun cainte faoi iomad nithe, iad in oirchill air chun greim a fháil ar fhocal éigin as a bhéal.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 20th October, 2024
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle B
World Mission Sunday
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of the prophet Isaiah 53:10-11
If he offers his life in atonement, he shall see his heirs, he shall have a long life.
The Lord has been pleased to crush his servant with suffering.If he offers his life in atonement, he shall see his heirs,
he shall have a long life and through him what the Lord wishes will be done.
His soul's anguish over he shall see the light and be content.
By his sufferings shall my servant justify many,
taking their faults on himself.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 32:4-5. 18-20.22.
Response May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.
1. The word of the Lord is faithful and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right and fills the earth with his love. 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
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16
Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace.
Since in Jesus, the Son of God, we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heaven, we must never let go of the faith that we have professed. For it is not as if we had a high priest who was incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us; but we have one who has been tempted in every way that we are, though he is without sin. Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from him and find grace when we are in need of help.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 14:15
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 Mk 10: 45
Alleluia, alleluia!
The Son of Man came to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 10: 35-45 Glory to you, O Lord.
The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many.
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached Jesus.
Master,' they said to him 'we want you to do us a favour.'
He said to them, 'What is it you want me to do for you?'
They said to him, 'Allow us to sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.’
You do not know what you are asking". Jesus said to them.
'Can you drink the cup that I must drink, or be baptised with the baptism with which I must be baptised’
They replied, 'We can.'
Jesus said to them,
'The cup that I must drink you shall drink, and with the baptism with which I must be baptised you shall be baptised,
but as for seats at my right hand or my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted.'
When the other ten heard this they began to feel indignant with James and John,
so Jesus called them to him and said to them,
'You know that among the pagans their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you.
No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant,
and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all.
For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Shorter form of the Gospel
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 10: 42-45
Glory to you, O Lord.
Anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant
Jesus called his disciples to him and said to them,
'You know that among the pagans their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all.
For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
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/
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, 20th October, 2024
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as Leabhar Íseáia, Fáidh Íseáia 53:10-11
Má thugann sé a anam in éiric an pheaca, feicfidh sé a shliocht, cuirfidh sé fad lena shaol.
Ba thoil leis an Tiarna é a bhascadh le breoiteacht.Má thugann sé a anam in éiric an pheaca,
feicfidh sé a shliocht, cuirfidh sé fad lena shaol,
agus rachaidh toil an Tiarna chun cinn ina lámha.
Tar éis saothar a anama, feicfidh sé an solas agus beidh sásamh air.
Lena phianta déanfaidh mo ghiolla fíréin de na sluaite,
á luchtú féin le hualach a gcionta.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia.
Salm le Freagra Sm 32
Freagra Tabhair dúinn do bhuanghrá, a Thiarna,
de réir an dóchais a chuirimid ionat.
1. Is dílis é briathar an Tiarna, agus is iontaofa a obair uile.
Is ionúin leis an chóir is an ceart; tá an talamh lán de bhuanghrá an Tiarna. Freagra
2. Féach, tá súile an Tiarna ar lucht a eaglaithe, orthu sin a chuireann a ndóchas ina bhuanghrá,
chun go bhfuadódh sé a n-anamacha ón mbas is go gcothódh sé iad in am an ghorta. Freagra
3. Bíonn ár n-anam ag feitheamh leis an Tiarna: is é sin ár gcabhair is ár sciath.
Tabhair dúinn do bhuanghrá, a Thiarna, de réir an dóchais a chuirimid ionat. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as an litir chuig na Eabhraig 4;14-16
Druidimis go muiníneach le ríchathaoir an ghrásta.
A bhráithre, ós rud é, mar sin, go bhfuil ardsagart againn atá gafa tríd na flaithis, Íosa, Mac Dé, coinnímis greim docht ar ár gcreideamh. Ní amhlaidh atá ardsagart againn nach féidir dó tuiscint a bheith aige dár laigí ach ceann a triaileadh i ngach slí cosúil linn féin ach nach ndearna peaca riamh. Dá bhrí sin, druidimis go muiníneach le ríchathaoir an ghrásta le súil go ndéanfar trócaire orainn agus go bhfaighimis grásta a chabhróidh linn in am an ghátair.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Marcas 10:45
Alleluia, alleluia!
Tháinig Mac an Duine chun go ndéanfadh sé féin freastal,
agus a anam a thabhairt mar cheannach ar mhórán.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Marcas 10: 42-45 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Tháinig Mac an Duine chun a anam a thabhairt mar cheannach ar mhórán.
San am sin tháinig Séamas agus Eoin, clann Zeibidé; chuig Íosa á rá leis:
“A Mhaistir, is mian linn go ndéanfá dúinn cibé ní a iarrfaimid ort.”
Dúirt seisean leo:
“Cad ab áil libh a dhéanfainn daoibh?”
Agus dúirt siadsan leis:
“Tabhair dúinn go suífimis, duine againn ar do dheis, agus duine againn ar do chlé, i do ghlóir.”
Dúirt Íosa leo:
“Níl a fhios agaibh cad atá sibh a iarraidh. An bhféadann sibh an cupa a ól atá á ól agamsa,
agus sibh do bhur mbaisteadh leis an mbaisteadh lena bhfuilimse do mo bhaisteadh?”
Dúirt siad leis: “Féadaimid.”
Dúirt Íosa leo:
“An cupa atáim a ól, ólfaidh sibh, agus leis an mbaisteadh lena bhfuilim do mo bhaisteadh, baistfear sibh;
ach maidir le suí ar mo dheis nó ar mo chlé, ní agamsa atá sin le tabhairt, ach is dóibh siúd é dá bhfuil sé i ndán.”
Ar a chloisteáil sin don deichniúr thosaigh siad ar a bheith míchéadfach i dtaobh Shéamais agus Eoin.
Agus ghlaoigh Íosa chuige iad agus dúirt sé leo:“Tá fhios agaibh go mbíonn an mhuintir, a shamhlaíonn a bheith ag rialú na ngintlithe, ag tiarnú orthu, agus a gcuid uaisle ag smachtúchán orthu. Ach ní mar sin atá an scéal eadraibhse, ach an duine ar mian leis a bheith ina uasal eadraibh, beidh sé ina sheirbhíseach daoibh, agus an duine ar mian leis a bheith ina cheann oraibh, beidh sé ina sclábhaí ag cách.
Óir níor tháinig Mac an Duine chun go mbeifí ag freastal air, ach chun go ndéanfadh sé féin freastal, agus a anam a thabhairt mar cheannach ar mhórán.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost _________________
SOISCÉAL Gearr
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Marcas 10: 42-45 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Tháinig Mac an Duine chun a anam a thabhairt mar cheannach ar mhórán.
Agus ghlaoigh Íosa orthe agus dúirt sé leo:
“Tá fhios agaibh go mbíonn an mhuintir, a shamhlaíonn a bheith ag rialú na ngintlithe, ag tiarnú orthu, agus a gcuid uaisle ag smachtúchán orthu. Ach ní mar sin atá an scéal eadraibhse, ach an duine ar mian leis a bheith ina uasal eadraibh, beidh sé ina sheirbhíseach daoibh, agus an duine ar mian leis a bheith ina cheann oraibh, beidh sé ina sclábhaí ag cách.
Óir níor tháinig Mac an Duine chun go mbeifí ag freastal air, ach chun go ndéanfadh sé féin freastal, agus a anam a thabhairt mar cheannach ar mhórán.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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Machtnamh ar Bhriathar Dé dia Domhnaigh
Ainseo le freastal ort
Nach minic a bhímid féinéiseach lenár gcuid ama agus fuinnimh. Tá an oiread sin leithscéal inmhuirearaithe chun dul siar ón a’r nduailgasaí agus obair a chaithfear a dhéanamh a chur ar leath-taobh. Cé chomh héasca ná maireachtáil díreach dúinn féin agus ligean don chómharsa cúnamh dó féin. Ach iarrann an Tiarna orainn sinn a cheistiú, "Cad is féidir liom a dhéanamh do mo phobal?" seachas "Cad is féidir le mo phobal a dhéanamh domsa?" Is ceacht bhunúsach í gur mór dúinn a bheith ag fhoghlaim ar fud ár saol. Léiríonn Séamus agus Eoin, sa Soiscéal inniu, sampla ar conas a bheith féinéiseach fiú amháin in ár bpaidreacha. íarann siad ó íosa na suíocháan is áirde ina ríocht. Bfhéidir nach ndéanaimíd urnaí i ndáiríre ach nuair is mian linn rud éigin a thaithneóch go mór linn féin. Ar iarratas an bheirt aspail, freagraíonn Íosa le ceist dá chuid féin, le tuiscint go gcaithfidh siad a gcuid tosaíochtaí a athrú. Is é seo an t-iarratas agus an urnaí is fearr is féidir linn a dhéanamh le Dia: "Déanfar do dhéantar ar an talamh mar atá sé ar neamh" (Mt 6:10). Agus is é toil Dhia ná go mairimid ár saol tar éis eiseamlár Chríost a Mhic, agus ár dtabhairt féin i seirbhís do dhaoine eile.
Pádraig Ó Rúairí, cp,
Sliabh Argus, Átha Cliath.
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AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
