Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Nov 21 - Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Summary : The Presentation of Mary. This memorial originally marked the dedication of a sixth century church of the Virgin Mary near the Temple of Jerusalem.
The Eastern Church took it up as a celebration of Mary's presentation to God in the Temple at the age of three, a non-biblical story from the apocryphal gospel of James. Established in the West late in the Middle Ages, the feast was universally observed by the sixteenth century. It celebrates Mary in her grace-filled life, wholly given over to the Holy Spirit from the time of her conception.
The feast is found in the liturgical documents of the East in the 11th century and was brought to the papal chapel in Avignon in 1373. A year later King Charles V introduced it to the royal Chapel in Paris, from where it spread through Spain and Germany. It is also now celebrated in the Roman Calendar.
The Protoevangelium of James
As with Mary’s birth, we read of Mary’s presentation in the temple only in apocryphal literature. In the apocryphal Protoevangelium of James we read that offered Mary to God in the Temple when she was three years old. This was to carry out a promise made to God when Anna was still childless.
Holiness of Mary
The feast is best linked with the other feasts of the birth of Mary (8th September) and of the Immaculate Conception (8th December). It highlights the holiness of Mary from the beginning of her life on earth that continued through her early childhood and beyond.
Icon of the Feast
It is sometimes difficult for modern Westerners to appreciate a feast like this. The Eastern Church has a special icon for this feast included in the top of the iconostasis in every church. This stresses that Mary from the beginning of her life was dedicated to God. She became a greater temple than any made by human hands. God came to dwell in her in a wonderful way and sanctified her for her unique role in God's saving work. At the same time, the magnificence of Mary redounds on her children. They, too, are temples of God and sanctified so that they may enjoy and share in God's saving work.
Homily of St Germanus
Some of the enthusiasm of the feast is expressed in the homily of St Germanus:
"Hail, holy throne of God,
divine sanctuary, house of glory,
jewel most fair, chosen treasure house,
and mercy seat for the whole world,
heaven showing forth the glory of God.
Purest Virgin, worthy of all praise,
sanctuary dedicated to God and
raised above all human condition,
virgin soil, unplowed field,
flourishing vine,
fountain pouring out waters,
virgin bearing a child,
mother without knowing man,
hidden treasure of innocence,
ornament of sanctity,
by your most acceptable prayers,
strong with the authority of motherhood,
to our Lord and God, Creator of all,
your Son who was born of you without a father,
steer the ship of the Church and
bring it to a quiet harbour."
__________________________________________
This feast is celebrated both in the Roman and the Eastern Orthodox rites. 
In the East it takes its origin from the dedication of the Church of Our Lady near the Temple area in Jerusalem which took place on 21st November 543. A church was built on the above site in honour of this mystery.
Patrick Duffy recalls some of the themes of the feast.
The Eastern Church took it up as a celebration of Mary's presentation to God in the Temple at the age of three, a non-biblical story from the apocryphal gospel of James. Established in the West late in the Middle Ages, the feast was universally observed by the sixteenth century. It celebrates Mary in her grace-filled life, wholly given over to the Holy Spirit from the time of her conception.
The feast is found in the liturgical documents of the East in the 11th century and was brought to the papal chapel in Avignon in 1373. A year later King Charles V introduced it to the royal Chapel in Paris, from where it spread through Spain and Germany. It is also now celebrated in the Roman Calendar.
The Protoevangelium of James
As with Mary’s birth, we read of Mary’s presentation in the temple only in apocryphal literature. In the apocryphal Protoevangelium of James we read that offered Mary to God in the Temple when she was three years old. This was to carry out a promise made to God when Anna was still childless.
Holiness of Mary
The feast is best linked with the other feasts of the birth of Mary (8th September) and of the Immaculate Conception (8th December). It highlights the holiness of Mary from the beginning of her life on earth that continued through her early childhood and beyond.
Icon of the Feast
It is sometimes difficult for modern Westerners to appreciate a feast like this. The Eastern Church has a special icon for this feast included in the top of the iconostasis in every church. This stresses that Mary from the beginning of her life was dedicated to God. She became a greater temple than any made by human hands. God came to dwell in her in a wonderful way and sanctified her for her unique role in God's saving work. At the same time, the magnificence of Mary redounds on her children. They, too, are temples of God and sanctified so that they may enjoy and share in God's saving work.
Homily of St Germanus
Some of the enthusiasm of the feast is expressed in the homily of St Germanus:
"Hail, holy throne of God,
divine sanctuary, house of glory,
jewel most fair, chosen treasure house,
and mercy seat for the whole world,
heaven showing forth the glory of God.
Purest Virgin, worthy of all praise,
sanctuary dedicated to God and
raised above all human condition,
virgin soil, unplowed field,
flourishing vine,
fountain pouring out waters,
virgin bearing a child,
mother without knowing man,
hidden treasure of innocence,
ornament of sanctity,
by your most acceptable prayers,
strong with the authority of motherhood,
to our Lord and God, Creator of all,
your Son who was born of you without a father,
steer the ship of the Church and
bring it to a quiet harbour."
__________________________________________
******************************
Memorable Sayings for Today
What you are is God's gift to you.
What you become is your gift to God.
~Hans urs von Baltasar ~
******************************
Liturgical Readings for: Thursday, 21st November, 2024
11-21 The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mary, is wholly given over to the Holy Spirit
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of Zechariah 2:14-17
Rejoice, daughter of Zion; for I am coming.
Sing, rejoice, daughter of Zion;
for I am coming to dwell in the middle of you –
It is the Lord who speaks.
Many nations will join the Lord, on that day; they will become his people.
But he will remain among you, and you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.
But the Lord will hold Judah as his portion in the Holy Land,
and again make Jerusalem his very own.
Let all mankind be silent before the Lord!
For he is awaking and is coming from his holy dwelling.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Lk 1:46-55
Response The Almighty works marvels for me. Holy is his name
Or Blessed is the Virgin Mary who bore the Son of the eternal Father.
1. My soul glorifies the Lord,my spirit rejoices in God, my saviour. Response
2. Henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me. Holy his name! Response
3. His mercy is from age to age, on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength and scatters the proud-hearted. Response
4. He casts the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly.
He fills the starving with good things, sends the rich away empty. Response
5. He protects Israel, his servant, remembering his mercy,
the mercy promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his sons for ever. Response
Gospel Acclamation Lk 11: 28
Alleluia, alleluia!
Happy are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 12:46-50 Glory to you, O Lord
Stretching out his hand towards his disciples he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers.'
Jesus was still speaking to the crowds when his mother and his brothers appeared;
they were standing outside and were anxious to have a word with him.
But to the man who told him this Jesus replied,
'Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?'
And stretching out his hand towards his disciples he said,
'Here are my mother and my brothers.
Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven,
he is my brother and sister and mother.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
******************************
Gospel Reflection Tuesday, Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Matthew 12:46-50
The feast of Mary’s presentation in the temple in Jerusalem as a child celebrates an important truth about Mary: From the beginning of her life, she was dedicated to God, given over to God’s purposes. Because of her dedication to God from an early age, she was called by God to become a greater temple than the magnificent temple in Jerusalem. If the temple in Jerusalem was the house of God, the place where God was believed to be present in a special way, Mary became the house of the Lord in an even greater way, because she carried the Lord in her womb until she give birth to him. God came to dwell in her, through Jesus, because she was open to God’s presence from the earliest years of her life. She is the prime example of the group that Jesus refers to in today’s gospel reading as those ‘who do the will of my Father in heaven’.
Today’s feast celebrates the fact that from her childhood Mary did the will of God, and was therefore ready to become the temple of God’s Son at the time of God’s choosing. We too are called to do the will of the Father in heaven so that we too can become temples of the Lord, people who carry the Lord’s presence to others, as Mary did. Writing to the church in Corinth, Paul says to each member, ‘Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you?’ (1 Cor 6:19). We ask Mary to pray for us now so that we may always do the will of the Father and so become temples of God as she was.
________________________________
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/
________________________________
Liturgical Readings for: Thursday, 21st November, 2024
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as leabhar Zachária 2:14-17
Abair amhrán agus déan gairdeas, a iníon Shíón;óir, féach, táimse ag teacht.
Abair amhrán agus déan gairdeas, a iníon Shíón;
óir, féach, táimse ag teacht chun cónaí a dhéanamh i do lár, a deir an Tiarna.
Ceanglófar a lán náisiún leis an Tiarna an lá sin;
beidh siad ina bpobal aige, agus cónóidh sé in bhur measc,
agus aithneoidh tú gurbh é Tiarna na Slua a chuir chugat mé.
Ach beidh seilbh ag an Tiarna ar Iúdá,
mar a chomhroinn féin sa talamh naofa,
agus déanfaidh sé rogha de Iarúsailéim athuair.
Bíodh gach duine ina thost i láthair an Tiarna;
óir, tá sé ag éirí chun teacht amach as a áitreabh naofa.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Lk 1: 46-55
Freagra Óir rinne an Té atá cumhachtach nithe móra dom agus is naofa a ainm.
1. “Mórann m’anam an Tiarna,agus rinne mo spiorad gairdeas i nDia mo Shlánaitheoir. Freagra
2. Óir dhearc sé le fabhar ar ísle a bhanóglaigh;
nmar féach, déarfaidh na glúine uile feasta gur méanar dom.
Óir rinne an Té atá cumhachtach nithe móra dom agus is naofa a ainm. Freagra
3. Tá a thrócaire ó ghlúin go glúin dóibh seo ar a mbíonn a eagla.
Thaispeáin sé neart a láimhe:
scaip sé an dream a bhí uaibhreach i smaointe a gcroí. Freagra
4. Leag sé prionsaí óna gcathaoireacha, agus d’ardaigh sé daoine ísle;
Líon sé lucht an ocrais le nithe maithe, agus chuir sé na saibhre uaidh folamh. Freagra
5. D’fhóir sé ar Iosrael a sheirbhíseach, ag cuimhneamh dó ar a thrócaire –
de réir mar gheall sé dar n-aithreacha – d’Abrahám agus dá shliocht go brách.” Freagra
Alleluia Véarsa Mth 11: 28
Alleluia! alleluia
“Is mó is méanar dóibh seo a chluineann briathar Dé agus a choimeádann é.
Alleluia
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Matha 12: 46-50 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Síneadh Íosa a lámha faoina chuid deisceabal, dúirt: “Féach mo mháthair agus mo bhráithre!
Bhí Íosa ag caint leis na sluaite nuair a tháinig a mháthair
agus a bhráithre agus
amuigh ag iarraidh labhairt leis.Dúirt duine éigin leis:
“Feach, tá do mháthair agus do bhráithre lasmuigh ag iarraidh labhairt leat.”
Agus dúirt leis an té a d’inis dó é:
“Cé hí mo mháthair agus cé hiad mo bhráithre?”
Agus ag síneadh a láimhe faoina chuid deisceabal, dúirt:
“Féach mo mháthair agus mo bhráithre! óir, duine ar bith a dhéanfaidh toil m’Athar atá ar neamh, is bráthair dom é agus is siúr agus is máthair.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 24th November, 2024
24-11-2024
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Solemnity
(34th and Last Sunday in Ordinary time, Cycle B)
Christ did not seek earthly domination in his kingship, but rather the liberation of the weak and oppressed.
The Christian community shares in the royal dignity of Christ by sharing his mission of service.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Daniel 7:13-14
His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty.
I gazed into the visions of the night.And I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven,
one like a son of man.
He came to the one of great age
and was led into his presence.
On him was conferred sovereignty, glory and kingship,
and men of all peoples, nations and languages became his servants.
His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty which shall never pass away,
nor will his empire be destroyed.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 92
Response The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.
1. The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed; the Lord has robed himself with might, he has girded himself with power. Response
2. The world you made firm, not to be moved; your throne has stood firm from of old.
From all eternity, O Lord, you are. Response
3. Truly your decrees are to be trusted. Holiness is fitting to your house,
O Lord, until the end of time. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the Book of the Apocalypse 1:5-8
Ruler of the kings of the earth... he made us a line of kings, priests to serve his God.
Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the First-born from the dead, the Ruler of the kings of the earth.
He loves us and has washed away our sins with his blood, and made us a line of kings, priests to serve his God and Father;
to him, then, be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.
It is he who is coming on the clouds; everyone will see him, even those who pierced him,
and all the races of the earth will mourn over him. This is the truth. Amen.
'I am the Alpha and the Omega' says the Lord God, who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Mt 24:42
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessings on the coming kingdom of our father David!
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 18:33-37 Glory to you, O Lord.
It is you who say I am a king.
Pilate asked Jesus 'Are you the king of the Jews?' .
Jesus replied, 'Do you ask this of your own accord, or have others spoken to you about me?'
Pilate answered,
'Am I a Jew? It is your own people and the chief priests who have handed you over to me: what have you done?'
Jesus replied,
'Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world,
my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews.
But my kingdom is not of this kind.'
'So, you are a king then? said Pilate.
'It is you who say it,' answered Jesus. 'Yes, I am a king. I was born for this,
I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth;
and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
************************
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, 24th November, 2024
Sollúntas Ár dTiarna Íosa Críost Rí na nUile
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as Leabhar Dhainéil , Fáidh. 7:13-14
Tiarnas síoral a thiarnas
Chonaic mé i bhfíseanna oíche.
Féach! neach ag teacht ar néalta neimhe,
amhail mac an duine.
Thainig sé chun Sinsir na Laethanta, agus cuireadh os a chomhair é.
Dó síud tugadh tiarnas, glóir is ardfhlaitheas,
go bhfónfadh dó an uile phobal, chine agus theanga.
Tiarnas síoral a thiarnas,
nach rachaidh ar ceal, ná ní scriosfar a ríocht.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 92
Freagra Tá an Tiarna ina Rí: tá sé gléasta le maorgacht.
1. Tá an Tiarna ina Rí: tá sé gléasta le maorgacht; chlúdaigh sé é féin le neart,
chrioslaigh sé é féin le cumhacht. Freagra
2. Bhunaigh tú an domhan go dobhogtha; tá do chathaoir arna daingniú ó na cianta.
Ón tSíoraíocht atá tusa ann, a Thiarna. Freagra
3. Is dearfa go deimhin do reachtanna. Is do do theachsa is cuí an naofacht,
a Thiarna, go brách an breithe. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as Leabhar Apacailipsis 1:5-8
Rialtóir ríthe an domhain... rinne sé ríocht agus sagairt dá Dhia agus da Athair dínn.
Is é Íosa Críost an finné dflis, an chéadghin ó mhairbh, rialtóir ríthe an domhain.
Don té a bheir grá dúinn, agus a scaoil sinn ónár gcionta trína fhuil féin, agus a rinne ríocht agus sagairt dá Dhia agus da Athair dínn, don té sin go raibh glóir agus cumhacht ar feadh na síoraíochta. Amen.
Féach, tá sé ag teacht ar néalta neimhe, agus feicfidh gach duine lena súile cinn é, fiú iad siúd a tholl é, agus beidh ciníocha uile an domhain ag déanamh mairgní dá bharr.
Abair é! Amen.
'Mise an tAlfa agus an tÓmega,' a deir an Tiarna Dia, an té atá, a bhí agus atá le teacht, Rialtóir an Uile.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Mc 11: 10
Alleluia, alleluia!
Is beannaithe an té atá ag teacht in ainm an Tiarna!
Is beannaithe ag teacht í, Ríocht ár nAthar, Daivi!
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 18:33-37 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
De réir mar a deir tú, is rí me.
San am sin dúirt Pioláit Ie hÍosa:
'An tusa Rí na nGiúdach?'
D'fhreagair Íosa:
'An uait féin a deir tú
an meid sin, nó an daoine eile a dúirt leat e mar gheall orm?'D'fhreagair Pioláit: 'An Giúdach mise?
Do náisiún féin agus uachtaráin na sagart a thug ar láimh dom thú. Cad tá déanta agat?'
'Dfhreagair Íosa:
'Ní den saol seo mo ríocht.
Dá mba den saol seo mo ríocht, throidfeadh mo sheirbhísigh ionas nach dtabharfaí ar láimh do na Giúdaigh mé.
Ach anois ní as seo mo ríocht.'
Dúirt Pioláit leis: 'Ach is rí thú ámh?'
D'fhreagair Íosa:
'De réir mar a deir tú, is rí me.
Is é fáth ar rugadh mé agus ar tháinig mé ar an saol, chun fianaise. a thabhairt ar an bhfirinne.
Gach aon duine ar den fhírinne é, éisteann sé le mo ghlór.'
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
************************************
Machtnamh ar Bhriathar Dé dia Domhnaigh Sollúntas Ár dTiarna Íosa Críost Rí na nUile
Ríocht na Córa, an Ghrá agus na Síochána
Is é an príomh-bhealach praiticiúil chun urram a thabhairt do Chríost ár Rí ná a bheith ag obair chun teacht ar a ríocht. Is é an rud a dhéanaimid le faoiseamh na n-úsáideoirí díothacha agus dífhostaithe go bhfuil seirbhís le Críost, mar a shainaithníonn sé go pearsanta leis na daoine atá ag teastáil. Ní féidir leis an deisceabal Chríost an Rí an sócmhainn a choimeád féin agus mé féin nó "Bhuel is dochair dom duine ar bith." Is é a bheith bodhar chun cries an chomharsa atá i ngátar ná ár gcluasa a dhúnadh go Críost. Is é a bheith dall ar an bhriseadh ar an bháis ná na súile a dhúnadh air. Má leanamar Íosa Críost mar ár rí-Shepherd ní mór dúinn a bheith ar bhealach éigin féin, mar gheall air féin.
Pádraig Ó Rúairí, cp,
Sliabh Argus, Átha Cliath.
********************************************
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
