Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Feb 19 - Bl Fra Angelico (1387-1455)
Summary: Fra Angelico is probably better known as an artist than as a holy man. He was already called "Beato" while he was still alive. Pope John Paul II gave this a new reality when he beatified him in 1982. "He did theology by painting the beauty that shows the light of the Risen Christ in creatures".
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Early life
Born Guido di Pietro at Vicchio, 25 kms north-east of Florence, also the birth place of Giotto, in his childhood he was known as Guido da Vicchio or Guido di Pietro. He may have been already a painter before he and his brother Benedetto joined the Dominicans at Fiesole.
At Fiesole 1418-35
After his novitiate at Cortona he went to live at the Dominican convent at Fiesole. As a young friar, he worked at illuminating missals and manuscripts. He became known to his companions as Fra Giovanni da Fiesole, but later more popularly - even within his own lifetime in Italy - he was called Il Beato Angelico.
San Marco, Florence (1436-45)
In 1436 Fra Angelico was one of a number of the monks from Fiesole who moved into the newly-built monastery of San Marco in Florence. This not only put him in the centre of artistic activity but also engaged the patronage of the wealthy and powerful Cosimo de' Medici, who often came there himself when he wanted to retreat from the world.
According to his biographer Giorgio Vasari (1511-74), it was at Cosimo's urging that Fra Angelico undertook the task of decorating the monastery, including the magnificent Chapter House fresco, the often-reproduced Annunciation, the Maesta with Saints Cosmas and Damian, Saint Mark and Saint John, Saint Lawrence and three Dominicans, Saint Dominic, Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Peter Martyr.
The Vatican and Orvieto, 1445–1449
In 1445 Pope Eugenius IV (1431-47), who knew the artist's work in Florence, summoned Angelico to Rome to paint the frescoes of the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament at St Peter's, but this was destroyed a century later when Pope Paul III (Alessandro Farnese 1534-49) wanted to make room for the great staircase of the Vatican Palace. Vasari says that at this time Eugenius offered Fra Angelico the archbishopric of Florence, but that he refused it, recommending another friar for the position.
In 1447 when the papal court moved to the comparative cool of Orvieto Fra Angelico worked with his pupil, Benozzo Gozzoli, on the vault of the chapel of the Madonna of St Brizio in the cathedral.
In 1449 back at the Vatican, he designed the famous fresco scenes from the lives of St. Laurence and St. Stephen for the walls of the Chapel of Nicholas V. From 1449 until 1452, Fra Angelico was back at San Marco in Florence, where he was prior for three years.
Death and influence
In 1455 Fra Angelico died while staying at a Dominican Convent in Rome, perhaps working on Pope Nicholas' Chapel. His tomb can be seen in the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in the centre of Rome. And this is his epitaph:
When singing my praise, do not say I was another Apelles.
But say that, in the name of Christ, I gave all I had to the poor.
Part of my work remains on earth and part is in heaven.
The city that bore me, Giovanni, is the flower of Tuscany.
....Tomb of fra Angelico O.P.
Beatified and patron of artists
Pope John Paul II beatified Fra Angelico on 3rd October 1982 and declared him patron saint of artists on 18th February 1984. Theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar said Angelico's art embodies the motto of the Dominican Order contemplata aliis tradere, that is, "communicating to others the contemplated mysteries". Another writer expressed a similar judgment: fece teologia dipingendo la bellezza, che mostrò la luce del Risorto nelle creature da lui redente: "he did theology by painting the beauty that shows the light of the Risen Christ in creatures".
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~ Aristotle ~
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Early life
Born Guido di Pietro at Vicchio, 25 kms north-east of Florence, also the birth place of Giotto, in his childhood he was known as Guido da Vicchio or Guido di Pietro. He may have been already a painter before he and his brother Benedetto joined the Dominicans at Fiesole.At Fiesole 1418-35
After his novitiate at Cortona he went to live at the Dominican convent at Fiesole. As a young friar, he worked at illuminating missals and manuscripts. He became known to his companions as Fra Giovanni da Fiesole, but later more popularly - even within his own lifetime in Italy - he was called Il Beato Angelico.
San Marco, Florence (1436-45)
In 1436 Fra Angelico was one of a number of the monks from Fiesole who moved into the newly-built monastery of San Marco in Florence. This not only put him in the centre of artistic activity but also engaged the patronage of the wealthy and powerful Cosimo de' Medici, who often came there himself when he wanted to retreat from the world.
According to his biographer Giorgio Vasari (1511-74), it was at Cosimo's urging that Fra Angelico undertook the task of decorating the monastery, including the magnificent Chapter House fresco, the often-reproduced Annunciation, the Maesta with Saints Cosmas and Damian, Saint Mark and Saint John, Saint Lawrence and three Dominicans, Saint Dominic, Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Peter Martyr.The Vatican and Orvieto, 1445–1449
In 1445 Pope Eugenius IV (1431-47), who knew the artist's work in Florence, summoned Angelico to Rome to paint the frescoes of the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament at St Peter's, but this was destroyed a century later when Pope Paul III (Alessandro Farnese 1534-49) wanted to make room for the great staircase of the Vatican Palace. Vasari says that at this time Eugenius offered Fra Angelico the archbishopric of Florence, but that he refused it, recommending another friar for the position.In 1447 when the papal court moved to the comparative cool of Orvieto Fra Angelico worked with his pupil, Benozzo Gozzoli, on the vault of the chapel of the Madonna of St Brizio in the cathedral.
In 1449 back at the Vatican, he designed the famous fresco scenes from the lives of St. Laurence and St. Stephen for the walls of the Chapel of Nicholas V. From 1449 until 1452, Fra Angelico was back at San Marco in Florence, where he was prior for three years.
Death and influence
In 1455 Fra Angelico died while staying at a Dominican Convent in Rome, perhaps working on Pope Nicholas' Chapel. His tomb can be seen in the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in the centre of Rome. And this is his epitaph:When singing my praise, do not say I was another Apelles.
But say that, in the name of Christ, I gave all I had to the poor.
Part of my work remains on earth and part is in heaven.
The city that bore me, Giovanni, is the flower of Tuscany.
....Tomb of fra Angelico O.P.
Beatified and patron of artists
Pope John Paul II beatified Fra Angelico on 3rd October 1982 and declared him patron saint of artists on 18th February 1984. Theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar said Angelico's art embodies the motto of the Dominican Order contemplata aliis tradere, that is, "communicating to others the contemplated mysteries". Another writer expressed a similar judgment: fece teologia dipingendo la bellezza, che mostrò la luce del Risorto nelle creature da lui redente: "he did theology by painting the beauty that shows the light of the Risen Christ in creatures".
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Memorable Proverbs for today
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things,
but their inward significance.
Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.
~ Aristotle ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Thursday, 19th February, 2026
Lent -Thursday after Ash Wednesday
We are called to make a fresh choice between life and death, to travel on the sea of Lent,
to worthily prepare for the death and great resurrection of the Lord Jesus at Easter .
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of Deuteronomy 30: 15-30
See, I set before you life or death, blessing or curse.
Moses said to the people:
'See, today I set before you life and prosperity, death and disaster.
If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I enjoin on you today,
if you love the Lord your God and follow his ways,
if you keep his commandments, his laws, his customs,
you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you are entering to make your own.
'But if your heart strays, if you refuse to listen,if you let yourself be drawn into worshipping other gods and serving them,
I tell you today, you will most certainly perish;
you will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today:
I set before you life or death, blessing or curse.
'Choose life, then, so that you and your descendants may live, in the love of the Lord your God, obeying his voice, clinging to him; for in this your life consists, and on this depends your long stay in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob he would give them.'
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 1: 1-3,3, 4, 6. R/v 39:5
Response Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.
1. Happy indeed is the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked;
nor lingers in the way of sinners nor sits in the company of scorners,
but whose delight is the law of the Lord, and who ponders his law day and night. Response
2. He is like a tree that is planted beside the flowing waters.
that yields its fruit in due season and whose leaves shall never fade;
and all that he does shall prosper. Response
3. Not so are the wicked, not so! For they like winnowed chaff
shall be driven away by the wind; for the Lord guards the way of the just
but the way of the wicked leads to doom. Response
Gospel Acclamation Ps 50:12
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
A pure heart create for me, O God, and give me again the joy of your help.
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
Or Mt 4:17
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
Repent, says the Lord, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 9: 22-25 Glory to you, O Lord
Anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it.
Jesus said to his disciples: 'The Son of Man' he said 'is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.'Then to all he said,
'If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it.
What gain, then, is it for a man to have won the whole world and to have lost or ruined his very self?'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Thursday after Ash Wednesday, Luke 9:22-25
On this second day of Lent, the gospel reading points us ahead to the story of Holy Week. Jesus declares to his disciples that he is ‘destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death’, and then ‘to be raised on the third day’.
In this gospel of Luke, Jesus speaks these words just before he sets out on his final journey to Jerusalem. This will be a journey to suffering and death on a Roman cross, but, ultimately, it will be a journey to glory, as Jesus passes through death into the hands of his loving Father. In the following scene in Luke’s gospel, Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain, Luke tells us that Moses and Elijah who appeared alongside him were speaking with him about his ‘departure’ or ‘exodus’, his leaving this world and going to his heavenly Father. Because this exodus entails his passion and death, Jesus will soon have to ‘set his face to go to Jerusalem’ (9:51). He will have to steel himself for this journey.
In the gospel reading, Jesus suggests that his disciples will also need a certain steeliness if they are to be faithful to him. As Jesus had to renounce himself, empty himself, to remain faithful to God’s call, so his disciples will often have to renounce themselves to be faithful to his call. Giving ourselves in faithful love to the Lord means giving ourselves in loving service to those whom the Lord loves, which is all humanity. Such self-giving service of others will often mean renouncing our own selves in some way. We die to ourselves so as to live to others. In the gospel reading, Jesus assures us that in taking this path we will save our lives, we will become more alive, more fully the person God created us to be.
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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 : The Word is near to you, on your lips and in your heart by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Liturgical Readings for: Thursday, 19th February, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an leabhar Deotranaimí 30: 15-30
Chuir mé romhat bás nó beatha, beannacht nó mallacht.
Dúirt Maois leis an bpobal
“Seo beatha agus rath, bás agus urchóid á gcur agam romhat inniu. Má ghéilleann tú d’aitheanta an Tiarna do Dhia a ordaímse duit inniu, má ghránn tú an Tiarna do Dhia agus siúl ina bhealaí, agus a aitheanta, a reachtanna agus a orduithe a choimeád, ansin beidh an bheatha agat, agus beidh síol ort, agus cuirfidh an Tiarna do Dhia a bheannacht ort sa tír a bhfuil tú ag dul ann lena shealbhú. Ach má chlaonann do chroí, mádhiúltaíonn tú éisteacht agus go mealltar thú chun adhradh do dhéithe eile agus seirbhís dóibh, fógraím daoibh inniu go scriosfar sibh, go scriosfar sin; is gearr é bhur seal sa tíra bhfuil tú ag dul thar Iordáin isteach ann á shealbhú.
Glaoim ar neamh agus ar thalamh chun fianaise a bhreith in bhur n-aghaidh inniu: Chuir mé romhat bás nó beatha, beannacht nó mallacht. Beir an bheatha de rogha dá bhrí sin, i dtreo go mairfidh tú féin agus do shliocht, i ngrá an Tiarna do Dhia, ag géilleadh dá ghlór agus ag cloí leis; óir sin é is beatha duit, agus is air a bhraitheann fad do ré sa tír a mhionnaigh an Tiarna do d’aithreacha, d’Abrahám, d’Íosác, agus do Iacób, a thabharfadh sé dóibh.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 1:1-4, 6. r/ Sm 39:5
Freagra Is aoibhinn don té a chuireann a dhóchas sa Tiarna
1. Is aoibhinn don fhear nach leanann de chomhairle lucht na héagráifeachta;
nach seasann i slí na bpeacach, agus nach suíonn i gcuideachta na sotalach;
ach a bhfuil a dhúil i ndlí an Tiarna, agus a dhéanann machnamh air de lá agus d’oíche. Freagra
2. Is cosúil an duine sin le crann a plandaíodh ar bhruach na habhann,
a thugann a thoradh go tráthúil agus nach bhfeonn a dhuilleoga choíche.
Bíonn an rath ar gach aon ní dá ndéanann sé. Freagra
3. Ní amhlaidh do na héagráifigh, ní amhlaidh! ach mar cháith a scaiptear le gaoth.
Óir is cúram don Tiarna slí na bhfíréan, ach rachaidh slí na n-éagráifeach ar ceal. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 9: 22-25 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Cibé a chaillfidh a anam mar gheall ormsa, saorfaidh an duine sin é.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena diheisceabail:
“Ní foláir do Mhac an Duine mórán a fhulaingt, agus an diúltú a fháil ó na seanóirí agus ó uachtaráin na sagart agus ó na scríobhaithe, agus a chur chun báis, agus éirí an treas lá.”
Dúirt sé le cách:
“Más áil le haon duine bheith ar mo bhuíon, séanadh sé é féin, tógadh suas a chros gach lá, agus leanadh mé.
Óir cibé arb áil leis a anam a shaoradh, caillfidh sé é; ach cibé a chaillfidh a anam mar gheall ormsa, saorfaidh an duine sin é.
Óir cá fearrde do dhuine an domhan go léir a ghnóthú agus é féin a chailleadh agus a ligean ar ceal?
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 22nd February, 2026
First Sunday of Lent, Cycle A
We all need to awaken to the meaning of 'being in Christ'.
We are all struggling against the powers of darkness confident that wherever there is sin, Grace also abounds still more.
Today the initial Rite of Election of Catechumens is celebrated.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Genesis 2:7-9 3:1-7
The creation and sin of our first parents.
The Lord God fashioned man of dust from the soil. Then he breathed into his nostrils a breath of life, and thus man became a living being.
The Lord God planted a garden in Eden which is in the east, and there he put the man he had fashioned. The Lord God caused to spring up from the soil every kind of tree, enticing to look at and good to eat, with the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the middle of the garden.
The serpent was the most subtle of all the wild beasts that the Lord God had made. It asked the woman,'Did God really say you were not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?' The woman answered the serpent, 'We may eat he fruit of the trees in the garden. But of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden God said, "You must not eat it, nor touch it, under pain of death".'
Then the serpent said to the woman,
'No! You will not die! God knows in fact that on the day you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil.'
The woman saw that the tree was good to eat and pleasing to the eye, and that it was desirable for the knowledge that it could give. So she took some of its fruit and ate it. She gave some also to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they realised that they were naked. So they sewed fig-leaves together to make themselves loin-cloths.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 50: 3-6, 2-12-13, 14, 17
Response Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we have sinned.
1. Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out my offence.
O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. Response
2. My offences truly I know them; my sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned: what is evil in your sight I have done. Response
3. A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, nor deprive me of your holy spirit. Response
4. Give me again the joy of your help; with a spirit of fervour sustain me.
O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to Romans 5:12-19
However great the number of sins committed, grace was even greater.
Sin entered the world through one man, and through sin death, and thus death has spread through the whole human race because everyone has sinned. Sin existed in the world long before the Law was given. There was no law and so no one could be accused of the sin of 'law-breaking', yet death reigned over all from Adam to Moses, even though their sin, unlike that of Adam, was not a matter of breaking a law.
Adam prefigured the One to come, but the gift itself considerably outweighed the fall. If it is certain that through one man's fall so many died, it is even more certain that divine grace, coming through the one man, Jesus Christ, came to so many as an abundant free gift. The results of the gift also outweigh the results of one man's sin: for after one single fall came judgement with a verdict of condemnation, now after many falls comes grace with its verdict of acquittal. If it is certain that death reigned over everyone as the consequence of one man's fall, it is even more certain that one man, Jesus Christ, will cause everyone to reign in life who receives the free gift that he does not deserve, of being made righteous. Again, as one man's fall brought condemnation on everyone, so the good act of one man brings everyone life and makes them justified. As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man's obedience many will be made righteous.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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Shorter form of the Second reading
A reading from the letter of St Paul to Romans 5:12. 17-19
Sin entered the world through one man, and through sin death, and thus death
has spread through the whole human race because everyone has sinned. If it is certain that death reigned over everyone as the consequence of one man's fall, it is even more certain that one man, Jesus Christ, will cause everyone to reign in life who receives the free gift that he does not deserve, of being made righteous. Again, as one man's fall brought condemnation on everyone, so the good act of one man brings everyone life and makes them justified. As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man's obedience many will be made righteous.The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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Gospel Acclamation Mt 4:4
Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory!
Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 4:1-11 Glory to you, O Lord
Jesus fasts for forty days and is tempted.
Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was very hungry, and the tempter came and said to him,
'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves'.
But he replied, 'Scripture says:
'Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'.
The devil then took him to the holy city and made him stand on the parapet of the Temple.
'If you are the Son of God' he said 'throw yourself down; for scripture says:
'He will put you in his angels' charge, and they will support you on their hands in case you hurt your foot against a stone'.
Jesus said to him, 'Scripture also says: 'You must not put the Lord your God to the test'.
Next, taking him to a very high mountain, the devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 'I will give you all these' he said, 'if you fall at my feet and worship me.'
Then Jesus replied,
'Be off, Satan! For scripture says: 'You must worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone.'
Then the devil left him, and angels appeared and looked after him.
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, 22nd February, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an Leabhar Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7
Cruthtú agus peaca an tsinsir.
Chum an Tiarna Dia an duine de chré na talún agus shéid anáil na beatha ina pholláirí; ar an gcaoi sin rinne neach beo den duine. Phlandaigh an Tiarna Dia parthas in Éidin san oirthear agus chuir sé ann an duine a chum sé. Chuir an Tiarna Dia ag fás aníos as an talamh gach uile chineál crainn is geal leis an tsúil agus is maith le hithe, crann na beatha mar an gcéanna i lár an ghairdín agus crann fhios na maitheasa agus an oilc.
Ba ghlice an nathair nimhe ná aon ainmhí allta dá ndearna an Tiarna Dia agus dúirt sí leis an mbean:
“An ndúirt Dia libh gan ithe de thoradh aon chrainn sa ghairdín?”
Dúirt an bhean leis an nathair nimhe:
“Ní miste dúinn toradh na gcrann sa ghairdín a ithe: ach toradh an chrainn atá i lár an ghairdín, dúirt Dia faoi: ‘ná hithigí é agus na bainigí leis le heagla go bhfaigheadh sibh bás’.”
Agus dúirt an nathair nimhe leis an mbean:
“Ní bhfaighidh sibh bás, ní bhfaighidh sin! Óir is eol do Dhia an lá a íosfaidh sibh dá thoradh sin, go n-osclófar bhur súile agus go mbeidh sibh cosúil le déithe agus fios na maitheasa agus an oilc agaibh.”
Chonaic an bhean gur mhaith le hithe toradh an chrainn, agus gur gheal leis an tsúil é agus gur dhíol dúile é ar son an fheasa a thug sé. Thóg sí, más ea, cuid dá thoradh agus d’ith é; thug sí cuid de chomh maith dá fear a bhí ina teannta, agus d’ith sé é. Osclaíodh a súile araon agus chonaiceadar go rabhadar nocht agus d’fhíodar duilleoga fige lena chéile agus rinneadar brait íochtair dóibh féin.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 50: 3-6, 2-12-13, 14, 17
Freagra Déan trócaire orainn, a Dhia, mar gur pheacaíomar.
I. Déan trócaire orm, a Dhia, de réir do bhuanghrá; de réir do mhórthruamhéile scrios amach mo chionta.
Nigh m'urchóid díom go hiomlán agus glan díom mo pheaca. Freagra
2. Óir aithním mo chionta go maith agus tá mo pheaca os mo chomhair i gcónaí.
I do choinnese amháin a pheacaigh mé,agus an ní is olc i d'fhianaise is é a rinne mé. Freagra
3. Cruthaigh croí glan dom, a Dhia, agus cuir isteach ionam spiorad daingean.
Ná teilg ó do radharc mé,agus do spiorad naofa ná bain díom. Freagra
4. Tabhair ar ais dom áthas do shlánaithe agus tabhair spiorad na díograise dom mar thaca.
A Thiarna, oscail mo bheola agus foilseoidh mo bhéal do mholadh. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig Rómhánaigh 5:12-19
An áit ar mhéadaigh ar an bpeaca is mó Fós a mhéadaigh ar an ngrásta.
A bhráithre, tháinig an peaca isteach sa saol trí aon duine amháin agus an bás isteach tríd an bpeaca, sa tslí sin leath an bás i measc cách uile de bhrí go ndearna cách uile an peaca. Bhí an peaca ar an saol, ar ndóigh, sular tugadh an dlí ach ní chuirtear an peaca sa chuntas mura mbíonn dlí ann. Mar sin féin bhí an bás i réim ó Ádhamh anuas go Maois fiú amháin dóibh siúd nach raibh ciontach i mbriseadh reachta ar nós Ádhaimh. Agus bhí Ádhamh ina shamhail ar an té úd a bhí le teacht.:
Ach ní hé an dála céanna ag an tabhartas agus ag an gcoir é. Mar, má fuair mórán bás de bharr choir an aon duine amháin, is fairsinge go mór do mhórán a bhí grásta Dé agus an tabhartas a dáileadh de dheonú an aon duine amháin, Íosa Críost.
Agus ní hé an dála céanna ag an tabhartas agus ag an toradh a bhí ar pheaca an duine aonair é: tháinig breithiúnas an daortha as coir aonair, ach is as coireanna iomadúla a tháinig tabhartas an tsaortha. Más trí choir an aon duine amháin a tháinig an bás i réim tríd an aon duine amháin, is mó go mór ná sin a bheidh réimeas na beatha tríd an aon duine amháin Íosa Críost, acu siúd a fhaigheann flúirse den ghrásta agus de thabhartas na fíréantachta.
Dá réir sin, faoi mar tugadh daorbhreith ar chách uile de dheasca choir an aon duine amháin, ar an gcuma chéanna tugadh saorbhreith na beatha ar chách uile de bharr dhea-ghníomh an aon duine amháin. Faoi mar a rinneadh peacaigh de mhórán trí easumhlaíocht an aon duine amháin, ar an gcuma chéanná déanfar fíréin de mhórán trí umhlaíocht an aon duine amháin.
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DARA LÉACHT (sliocht gearr)
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig Rómhánaigh 5:12-19
An áit ar mhéadaigh ar an bpeaca is mó Fós a mhéadaigh ar an ngrásta.
A bhráithre, tháinig an peaca isteach sa saol trí aon duine amháin agus an bás isteach tríd an bpeaca, sa tslí sin leath an bás i measc cách uile de bhrí go ndearna cách uile an peaca.
Ach ní hé an dála céanna ag an tabhartas agus ag an gcoir é. Mar, má fuair mórán bás de bharr choir an aon duine amháin, is fairsinge go mór do mhórán a bhí grásta Dé agus an tabhartas a dáileadh de dheonú an aon duine amháin, Íosa Críost. Dá réir sin, faoi mar tugadh daorbhreith ar chách uile de dheasca choir an aon duine amháin, ar an gcuma chéanna tugadh saorbhreith na beatha ar chách uile de bharr dhea-ghníomh an aon duine amháin. Faoi mar a rinneadh peacaigh de mhórán trí easumhlaíocht an aon duine amháin, ar an gcuma chéanná déanfar fíréin de mhórán trí umhlaíocht an aon duine amháin.Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
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Véarsa Mth4: 4
Ní ar arán amháin a mhairfidh an duine, ach ar an uile fhocal a thagann as béal Dé.
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 4: 1-11 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Déanann Iosa troscadh ar feadh daichead lá agus cuirtear cathú air.
San am sin, seoladh Íosa isteach san fhásach ag an Spiorad le promhadh ag an diabhal. Rinne sé troscadh ar feadh daichead lá agus daichead oíche, agus ina dhiaidh sin bhí ocras air. Tháinig an cathaitheoir ina aice agus dúirt:
“Más tú Mac Dé, abair arán a dhéanamh de na clocha seo.”
Dúirt sé á fhreagairt:
“Tá sé scríofa: ‘Ní ar arán amháin a mhairfidh an duine, ach ar an uile fhocal a thagann as béal Dé.’”
Rug an diabhal leis ansin é isteach sa chathair naofa agus chuir sé ar bhinn an Teampaill é agus dúirt leis:
“Más tú Mac Dé, caith thú féin síos: óir tá sé scríofa: ‘Tabharfaidh sé ordú dá aingil i do thaobh agus iompróidh siad thú lena lámha, sula mbuailfeá do chos in aghaidh cloiche.’”
Dúirt Íosa leis: “Tá sé scríofa freisin: ‘Ní bhainfidh tú triail as an Tiarna do Dhia.’”
Rug an diabhal leis arís é faoi shliabh a bhí an-ard, thaispeáin dó ríochtaí uile an domhain agus a nglóir agus dúirt leis: “Tabharfaidh mé iad sin uile duit ach go n-umhlóidh tú síos do m’adhradh.”
Dúirt Íosa leis ansin:“Imigh leat, a Shátain! óir tá sé scríofa: ‘Adharfaidh tú an Tiarna do Dhia, agus is dó amháin a bheidh tú ag seirbhís.’”
Ansin d’fhág an diabhal é, agus tháinig na haingil chuige agus bhí siad ag freastal air.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
