Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Mar 19 - St Joseph (early 1st century)
Summary: St Joseph, a carpenter, born of the royal house of David, Joseph was an upright man who, as husband of the Virgin Mary, cared for Mary and the child Jesus. Venerated in the East after the fourth century, and his cult flowered in the West during the fifteenth century, following the development of medieval nativity plays, the Christmas crib, and increased devotion to Mary.
The feast of St Joseph was introduced into the Roman liturgy relatively late, in the fifteenth century, and extended to the universal Church mainly by missionaries in the sixteenth century.
Patrick Duffy looks at how St Joseph is seen in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke and in the liturgy.
Devotion spread by missionaries
After the introduction of his feast into the Roman liturgy in the fifteenth century, devotion to Joseph was spread by the missionary religious orders of the Reformation. Pope Pius IX declared him patron of the universal Church in 1870.
Pope Pius XII introduced the feast of St Joseph the Worker on 1st May 1955. In 1962 Pope John XXIII introduced Joseph's (the Pope's own baptismal) name into the Roman Canon (1st Eucharistic Prayer) of the Mass. Pope Francis declared 2021 as a year of special focus on St Joseph.
Matthew
Matthew's gospel traces Joseph's descent from Abraham and ends with the phrase "husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born". It seems here to decline quite deliberately from saying that he was the father of Jesus.
A man of Honour and Creativity
Matthew also describes Joseph as "a man of honour". When he learned of Mary's pregnancy, he had already chosen the option of mercy and compassion when he decided not to divorce her publicly, but following some kind of encounter with God ("the angel of the Lord") over the matter, he sensed God was asking him to take Mary into his home as wife, to treat the child as his own and to give him the divinely designated name, Jesus, thus indicating that "he would save his people from their sins" (Mt 1:18-21). Matthew's readers will understand this to mean that Jesus fulfils the function of the atonement sacrifices of the temple.
Matthew Ch 2 infers Joseph's protection of the child Jesus against Herod, the flight into Egypt and subsequent return to, and re-settling in Nazareth . Also in Mt 13:55, Jesus is referred to - somewhat with contempt - as "the carpenter's son", without naming his adoptive father, as if Jesus were someone who had risen above his station and as if carpentry were a somewhat dishonourable profession. Joseph was a man of insightful creativity
Luke: from Mary's point of view
Luke's gospel, whose infancy narratives are written from Mary's point of view, records her as being perplexed at being told she is to conceive a son, even though she is described as engaged to Joseph. It does not mention Joseph's dilemma, but at the start of Jesus's public ministry it says: "He was the son (as was thought) of Joseph, son of Heli" (3:23).
The care of Joseph for Jesus
However, the care of Joseph for Jesus is the background of Luke's narrative (chapter 2) of the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem, his circumcision and naming, his presentation in the temple, the worry of the loss in Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve and having to cope with Jesus saying he would be busy with his Father's affairs.
Devotion
Catholic devotion has traditionally seen Joseph as the patron saint of a happy death.
For a longer reflection, see Redemptoris custos ("On the person and mission of St Joseph in the life of Christ and the Church" Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II 15-8-1989).
also
The feast of St Joseph was introduced into the Roman liturgy relatively late, in the fifteenth century, and extended to the universal Church mainly by missionaries in the sixteenth century.Patrick Duffy looks at how St Joseph is seen in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke and in the liturgy.
Devotion spread by missionaries
After the introduction of his feast into the Roman liturgy in the fifteenth century, devotion to Joseph was spread by the missionary religious orders of the Reformation. Pope Pius IX declared him patron of the universal Church in 1870.
Pope Pius XII introduced the feast of St Joseph the Worker on 1st May 1955. In 1962 Pope John XXIII introduced Joseph's (the Pope's own baptismal) name into the Roman Canon (1st Eucharistic Prayer) of the Mass. Pope Francis declared 2021 as a year of special focus on St Joseph.Matthew
Matthew's gospel traces Joseph's descent from Abraham and ends with the phrase "husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born". It seems here to decline quite deliberately from saying that he was the father of Jesus.
A man of Honour and Creativity
Matthew also describes Joseph as "a man of honour". When he learned of Mary's pregnancy, he had already chosen the option of mercy and compassion when he decided not to divorce her publicly, but following some kind of encounter with God ("the angel of the Lord") over the matter, he sensed God was asking him to take Mary into his home as wife, to treat the child as his own and to give him the divinely designated name, Jesus, thus indicating that "he would save his people from their sins" (Mt 1:18-21). Matthew's readers will understand this to mean that Jesus fulfils the function of the atonement sacrifices of the temple.
Matthew Ch 2 infers Joseph's protection of the child Jesus against Herod, the flight into Egypt and subsequent return to, and re-settling in Nazareth . Also in Mt 13:55, Jesus is referred to - somewhat with contempt - as "the carpenter's son", without naming his adoptive father, as if Jesus were someone who had risen above his station and as if carpentry were a somewhat dishonourable profession. Joseph was a man of insightful creativityLuke: from Mary's point of view
Luke's gospel, whose infancy narratives are written from Mary's point of view, records her as being perplexed at being told she is to conceive a son, even though she is described as engaged to Joseph. It does not mention Joseph's dilemma, but at the start of Jesus's public ministry it says: "He was the son (as was thought) of Joseph, son of Heli" (3:23).
The care of Joseph for Jesus
However, the care of Joseph for Jesus is the background of Luke's narrative (chapter 2) of the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem, his circumcision and naming, his presentation in the temple, the worry of the loss in Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve and having to cope with Jesus saying he would be busy with his Father's affairs.
The Liturgy
All this is beautifully expressed in the Preface of St Joseph in the Mass of his feast:
....He is that just man,
that wise and loyal servant,
whom you placed at the head of your family.
With a husband's love he cherished Mary,
the virgin Mother of God.
With fatherly care he watched over Jesus Christ your Son,
conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit....
Devotion
Catholic devotion has traditionally seen Joseph as the patron saint of a happy death.
(See also the feast of St Joseph the Worker, 1st May.)
For a longer reflection, see Redemptoris custos ("On the person and mission of St Joseph in the life of Christ and the Church" Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II 15-8-1989).
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Memorable Sayings for Today
Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace,
so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it
a thousand times.
~ Martin Luther ~
also
Faith consists in believing
when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.
~Voltaire~
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Liturgical Readings for: Thursday, 19th March, 2026
03-19- St Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Solemnity
Joseph was a person of faith and obedience to God's will and salvific plan for humanity,
He showed great fortitude in times of trial, was the chaste spousal love of Mary
and dutiful protector to Jesus.
Cf Below the Readings for today there is a brief account of the life of St Joseph)
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FIRST READING
A reading from the second book of Samuel 7:4-5. 12-14. 16
The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David
The word of the Lord came to Nathan: 'Go and tell my servant David,
"Thus the Lord speaks:
Are you the man to build me a house to dwell in? And when your days are ended and you are laid to rest with your ancestors, I will preserve the offspring of your body after you and make his sovereignty secure. (It is he who shall build a house for my name, and I will make his royal throne secure for ever.) I will be a father to him and he a son to me; if he does evil, I will punish him with the rod such as men use, with strokes such as mankind gives.
"Your house and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me and your throne be established for ever."'
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 88:2-5, 27, 29 R/v 37
Response His dynasty shall last for ever.
1. I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord; through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.
Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,
that your truth is firmly established as the heavens. Response
2. 'I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant:
I will establish your dynasty for ever and set up your throne through all ages.' Response
3. He will say to me: 'You are my father, my God, the rock who saves me.'
I will keep my love for him always; for him my covenant shall endure. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 4:13. 16-18.22
Though it seemed Abraham's hope could not be fulfilled, he hoped and he believed.
The promise of inheriting the world was not made to Abraham and his descendants on account of any law but on account of the righteousness which consists in faith. That is why what fulfils the promise depends on faith, so that it may be a free gift and be available to all of Abraham's descendants, not only those who belong to the Law but also those who belong to the faith of Abraham who is the father of all of us.
As scripture says:
I have made you the ancestor of many nations, Abraham is our father in the eyes of God, in whom he put his faith, and who brings the dead to life and calls into being what does not exist.
Though it seemed Abraham's hope could not be fulfilled, he hoped and he believed, and through doing so he did become the father of many nations exactly as he had been promised:
' Your descendants will be as many as the stars'.
This is the faith that was 'considered as justifying him.'
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation James 1 :21
Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!
They are happy who dwell in your house, O Lord, forever singing your praise.
Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 1:16. 18-21. 24 Glory to you, O Lord
When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.
Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary; of her was born Jesus who is called Christ. This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally.
He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.'
When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel Reflection March 19th Feast of Saint Joseph, Spouse of Mary Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24
One of the gospel readings for the feast of Saint Joseph is the story of the birth of Jesus, according to Matthew. It is a little less familiar to us than the story of the birth of Jesus as we find it in Luke’s gospel and which we read on Christmas night. The gospel reading portrays Joseph at a moment of crisis. It could be termed a crisis of intimacy. Joseph tends to be depicted in religious art as an elderly man, more like Jesus’ grandfather than father. In reality, at the time of Jesus’ birth, he must have been a vigorous young man, perhaps even still in his teens!
The gospel reading describes him as betrothed to Mary. Betrothal is more than what we refer to as an ‘engagement’. As betrothed, he and Mary were legally husband and wife, but they would only live together as husband and wife after their marriage ceremony. The future happiness of this young man is suddenly clouded by an event of which he can make little sense, Mary’s pregnancy. What is he to do in this unexpected and confusing situation? The Jewish Law would have required him to take a course of action that went against all his natural feelings for Mary. In that moment of personal crisis, according to the gospel reading, Joseph experienced God as Emmanuel, God with him. God communicated with Joseph at this difficult time in his life and Joseph was open to hearing God’s word to him, a word that directed him beyond what the Law required, prompting him to marry his betrothed, to take her home as his wife.
The story of Joseph reminds us that God continues to communicate with us in the challenging situations of our own lives, including crises of intimacy. There is no personal dilemma that need cut us off from God. God speaks a word of love and wisdom to us even in the most unpromising moments of our life’s journey. Jesus reveals God to be Emmanuel, God with us, and God is with us, guiding us and supporting us, especially in our own difficult family experiences. The gospel reading also suggests that Joseph was not only open to God’s presence but revealed God’s presence to Mary, showing her great care and sensitivity in a disturbing and unsettling moment. Joseph inspires us not only to be open to God’s presence in difficult family moments, but to reveal God’s loving and tender presence to each other, to look out for one another, when events come along that are disruptive and disturbing. Joseph’s care for the pregnant Mary, and later for Mary and her young son when faced with exile, is an inspiration to us all.
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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman and 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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Saint of the Day: March 19; St Joseph, husband of Mary
Joseph was a carpenter a handyman, born of the royal house of David. He was an upright man who, as husband of the Virgin Mary, cared for Mary and the child Jesus. Venerated in the East after the fourth century, his cult flowered in the West during the fifteenth century, following the development of medieval nativity plays, the Christmas crib, and increased devotion to Mary.
The feast of St Joseph was introduced into the Roman liturgy relatively late, in the fifteenth century, and extended to the universal Church mainly by missionaries in the sixteenth century.Patrick Duffy looks at how St Joseph is seen in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke and in the liturgy.
Devotion spread by missionaries
After the introduction of his feast into the Roman liturgy in the fifteenth century, devotion to Joseph was spread by the missionary religious orders of the Reformation.
Pope Pius IX declared him patron of the universal Church in 1870.
Pope Pius XII introduced the feast of St Joseph the Worker on 1st May 1955.
In 1962 Pope John XXIII introduced Joseph's (the Pope's own baptismal) name into the Roman Canon (1st Eucharistic Prayer) of the Mass.
Pope Francis also declared a special focus on St Joseph.
St Matthew
Matthew's gospel traces Joseph's descent from Abraham and ends with the phrase "husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born". The text seems here to quite deliberately decline from saying that he was the 'father' of Jesus.
A Man of Honour and Creativity
Matthew also describes Joseph as "a man of honour". When he learned of Mary's pregnancy, he had already chosen the option of mercy and compassion when he decided not to divorce her publicly, but following an encounter with God ("the angel of the Lord") over the matter, he sensed God was asking him to take Mary into his home as wife, to treat the child as his own and to give him the divinely designated name, Jesus, thus indicating that "he would save his people from their sins" (Mt 1:18-21). Matthew's readers will understand this to mean that Jesus fulfils the function of the atonement sacrifices of the temple.
Matthew Ch 2 infers Joseph's protection of the child Jesus against Herod, the flight into Egypt and subsequent return to, and re-settling in Nazareth . Also in Mt 13:55, Jesus is referred to - somewhat with contempt - as "the carpenter's son", without naming his adoptive father, as if Jesus were someone who had risen above his station and as if carpentry were a somewhat dishonourable profession. Joseph was a man of insightful creativityLuke: Mary's point of view
Luke's gospel, whose infancy narratives are written from Mary's point of view, records her as being perplexed at being told she is to conceive a son, even though she is described as engaged to Joseph. It does not mention Joseph's dilemma, but at the start of Jesus's public ministry it says: "He was the son (as was thought) of Joseph, son of Heli" (3:23).
The care of Joseph for Jesus
However, the care of Joseph for Jesus is the background of
Luke's narrative (chapter 2) of the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem,
his circumcision and naming,
his presentation in the temple,
the worry of the loss in Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve and
having to cope with Jesus saying he would be busy with his Father's affairs.
The Liturgy
All this is beautifully expressed in the Preface of St Joseph in the Mass of his feast:
....He is that just man, that wise and loyal servant,
whom you placed at the head of your family.
With a husband's love he cherished Mary,
the virgin Mother of God.
With fatherly care he watched over Jesus Christ your Son,
conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit....
Devotion
Catholic devotion has traditionally seen Joseph as the patron saint of a happy death.
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Wisdom of the day
We are born to love, we live to love, and we will die to love still more.
~ unknown ~
Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.
~Voltaire~
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For a longer reflection, see Redemptoris custos ("On the person and mission of St Joseph in the life of Christ and the Church" Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II 15-8-1989).
Liturgical Readings for: Thursday, 19th March, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an dara leabhar Samuél 7:4-5. 12-14. 16
Bhéarfaidh an Tiarna Dia dó ríchathaoir Dháiví a athair.
Tháinig briathar an Tiarna go Nátán“Imigh leat agus abair le mo sheirbhíseach Dáiví:
‘Seo mar a labhraíonn an Tiarna:
'An amhlaidh gur mian leat teach a thógáil dom ina ndéanfaidh mé cónaí? Agus nuair a bheidh deireadh le do ré, agus go n-adhlacfar le do shinsir thú, cumhdóidh mé do shliocht i do dhiaidh, síol do choirp, agus daingneoidh mé a fhlaitheas.(Eisean a thógfaidh teach do m’ainmse, agus daingneoidh mé a chathaoir ríoga go deo.) Beidh mé i m’athair aige, agus eisean ina mhac agamsa; má dhéanann sé olc, tabharfaidh mé an tslat dó mar phionós, faoi mar dhéanann daoine, agus buillí mar a thugann an cine daonna.'
Seasfaidh do theaghlach agus do fhlaitheas i gcónaí go daingean romham agus daingneofar do ríchathaoir go deo.’”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 88:2-5, 27, 29 R/v 37
Freagra Mairfidh a shlíocht go síoraí
1. Canfaidh mé de shíor faoi bhuanghrá an Tiarna, fógróidh mé do dhílseacht ó ghlúin go glúin.
Óir daingníodh do bhuanghrá go síoraí agus tá do dhílseacht chomh buan leis na flaithis. Freagra
2.Cheangail mé conradh le m'fhear tofa. Dhearbhaigh mé do Dháiví, mo sheirbhíseach: '
Socróidh mé do shlíocht ar feadh na síoraíochta, agus bunóidh mé do ríchathaoir go síoraí.' Freagra
3. Déarfaidh sé liom: Is tú m’athair, is tú mo Dhia agus carraig mo shlánaithe.’
Coinneoidh mé mo bhuanghrá go síoraí agus seasfaidh mo conradh leis go daingean. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómháigh 4:13.16-18.22
Agus gan aon ábhar dóchais aige, chreid Abráhám go dóchasach.
A Bhráithre, ní mar gheall ar aon dlí a gealladh d’Abrahám ná dá shliocht go mbeadh sé ina oidhre ar an domhan ach mar gheall ar fhíréantacht chreidimh. Mar, más iad na daoine atá i dtaobh leis an dlí is oidhrí, tá an creideamh gan bhrí agus an gealltanas gan éifeacht.
Go deimhin déanann an dlí fearg a chothú, mar an áit nach mbíonn dlí ní bhíonn briseadh dlí ann ach oiread. Is ó chreideamh é dá bhrí sin, ionas go mbeadh an gealltanas le fáil saor in aisce, agus go mbeadh éifeacht aige do shliocht iomlán Abrahám, ní amháin don chuid sin atá i dtaobh leis an dlí ach fós don chuid atá i dtaobh le creideamh Abrahám, an té is athair dúinn go léir de réir an scrioptúir:
“Tá tú ceaptha agam i d’athair ar mhórán náisiún,” i bhfianaise an Dé ar chreid sé ann, an té a bheonn na mairbh agus a ghlaonn ar bith na nithe nach raibh ann. Agus gan aon ábhar dóchais aige, chreid sé go dóchasach go mbeadh sé ina athair ar mhórán náisiún de réir mar a bhí ráite: “Amhlaidh sin a bheidh do shíol.”
Níor lagaigh ar a chreideamh ag machnamh dó ar a chorp spíonta féin – bhí sé ag tarraingt ar an gcéad – agus ar bhroinn mharbh Shárá. Ní raibh ceist ná amhras air mar gheall ar ghealltanas Dé; go deimhin is amhlaidh a neartaíodh ina chreideamh é agus thug sé glóir do Dhia mar go raibh sé lánchinnte de go bhféadfadh Dia a raibh geallta aige a chur i gcrích.
Sin é an fáth ar “áiríodh a chreideamh mar fhíréantacht aige”.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Comhghair an tSoiscéil Ps 83: 5
Glóir duit, a Chríost: is tú Briathar De!
Is méanar dá ndéanann cónaí i do theach; beidh siad do do mholadh de shíor.
Glóir duit, a Chríost: is tú Briathar De!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Matha 1:16. 18-21. 24 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Rinne Iósaef mar a d’ordaigh aingeal an Tiarna dó.
Ghin Iácób Iósaef, fear céile Mhuire ónar rugadh losa ar a dtugtar Críost.
Seo mar a tharla Íosa Críost a shaolú.
Bhí Muire, a mháthair, luaite le Iósaef, agus sula ndearnadar aontíos, fuarthas torrach í ón Spiorad Naomh.
Ba dhuine cóir a fear céile Iósaef, ach níorbh áil leis go dtabharfaí míchlú di, agus chinn sé í a scaoileadh uaidh os íseal. Ag machnamh ar an méid sin dó, áfach, thaispeáin aingeal ón Tiarna é féin do imbrionglóid agus dúirt:
“A Iósaef, a mhic Dháiví, ná bíodh eagla ort do bhean chéile Muire a thabhairt abhaile leat, óir, an leanbh atá gafa aici, is ón Spiorad Naomh é. Béarfaidh sí mac, agus tabharfaidh tú Íosa mar ainm air, óir slánóidh sé a phobal óna bpeacaí.”
Dhúisigh Iósaef agus d’éirigh, agus rinne mar d’ordaigh aingeal an Tiarna dó.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 22nd March, 2026
The Fifth Sunday in Lent
Lazarus’ resurrection is a 'figure' and 'type' of Jesus’ resurrection, and of our resurrection,
first to divine life in Baptism and after to our definitive resurrection at the end of time.
The Gospel is a call to a deeper faith and love in the Spirit living in us, giving life to our mortal bodies.
Third Scrutiny of the Elect
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Ezekiel 37:12-14
I shall put my spirit in you, and you will live.
"The Lord says this:
I am now going to open your graves; I mean to raise you from your graves, my people, and lead you back to the soil of Israel. And you will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and raise you from your graves, my people.
And I shall put my spirit in you, and you will live, and I shall resettle you on your own soil; and you will know that I, the Lord, have said and done this - it is the Lord who speaks."
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 129 R/v 7
Response With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
l. Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord, Lord, hear my voice!
O let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleading. Response
2. If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt, Lord, who would survive?
But with you is found forgiveness: for this we revere you. Response
3. My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word.
My soul is longing for the Lord more than watchman for daybreak.
(Let the watchman count on daybreak and Israel on the Lord.) Response
4. Because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption,
Israel indeed he will redeem from all its iniquity. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 8:8-11
The Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you.
People who are interested only in unspiritual things can never be pleasing to God. Your interests, however, are not in the unspiritual, but in the spiritual, since the Spirit of God has made his home in you. In fact, unless you possessed the Spirit of Christ you would not belong to him. Though your body may be dead it is because of sin, but if Christ is in you then your spirit is life itself because you have been justified; and if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, then he who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to your own mortal bodies through his Spirit living in you.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 11: 25. 26
Glory and praise to you, O Christ !
I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord,
whoever believes in me will never die.
Glory and praise to you, O Christ !
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to John 11:1-45 Glory to you , Lord
'I am the resurrection and the life.
There was a man named Lazarus who lived in the village of Bethany with the two sisters, Mary and Martha, and he was ill. - It was the same Mary, the sister of the sick man Lazarus, who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair. The sisters sent this message to Jesus, 'Lord, the man you love is ill'.
On receiving the message, Jesus said, 'This sickness will end not in death but in God's glory, and through it the Son of God will be glorified'.
Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, yet when he heard that Lazarus was ill he stayed where he was for two more days before saying to the disciples, 'Let us go to Judaea'. The disciples said, 'Rabbi, it is not long since the Jews wanted to stone you; are you going back again?'
Jesus replied: ' Are there not twelve hours in the day? A man can walk in the daytime without stumbling because he has the light of this world to see by; but if he walks at night he stumbles, because there is no light to guide him.'
He said that and then added, 'Our friend Lazarus is resting, I am going to wake him'.
The disciples said to him, 'Lord, if he is able to rest he is sure to get better'.
The phrase Jesus used referred to the death of Lazarus, but they thought that by 'rest' he meant 'sleep',
so Jesus put it plainly, 'Lazarus is dead; and for your sake I am glad I was not there because now you will believe. But let us go to him.'
Then Thomas - known as the Twin - said to the other disciples, 'Let us go too, and die with him'.
On arriving, Jesus found that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days already. Bethany is only about two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to sympathise with them over their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus had come she went to meet him. Mary remained sitting in the house. Martha said to Jesus, 'If you had been here, my brother would not have died, but I know that, even now, whatever you ask of God, he will grant you'.
'Your brother' said Jesus to her 'will rise again.'
Martha said, 'I know he will rise again at the resurrection on the last day'.
Jesus said: 'I am the resurrection. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live,
and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?'
'Yes, Lord,' she said 'I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world.'
When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in a low voice, 'The Master is here and wants to see you'. Hearing this, Mary got up quickly and went to him. Jesus had not yet come into the village; he was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were in the house sympathising with Mary saw her get up so quickly and go out, they followed her, thinking that she was going to the tomb to weep there.
Mary went to Jesus, and as soon as she saw him she threw herself at his feet, saying, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died'. At the sight of her tears, and those of the Jews who followed her, Jesus said in great distress, with a sigh that came straight from the heart, 'Where have you put him?'They said, 'Lord, come and see'. Jesus wept; and the Jews said, 'See how much he loved him!' But there were some who remarked, 'He opened the eyes of the blind man, could he not have prevented this man's death?'
Still sighing, Jesus reached the tomb: it was a cave with a stone to close the opening.
Jesus said, 'Take the stone away'.
Martha said to him, 'Lord, by now he will smell; this is the fourth day'.
Jesus replied, 'Have I not told you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?'
So they took away the stone.
Then Jesus lifted up his eyes and said:
'Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer. I knew indeed that you always hear me,
but I speak for the sake of all these who stand round me, so that they may believe it was you who sent me.'
When he had said this, he cried in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, here! Come out!'
The dead man came out, his feet and hands bound with bands of stuff and a cloth round his face.
Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, let him go free'.
Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what he did believed in him.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
__________________________________________________________________________
(Shorter form)
GOSPEL John 11:3-7. 17. 20-27. 33-45
I am the resurrection and the life.
The sisters Martha and Mary sent this message to Jesus, ‘Lord, the man you love is ill.’
On receiving the message, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death but in God’s glory, and through it the Son of God will be glorified.’
Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, yet when he learned that Lazarus was ill he stayed where he was for two more days before saying to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judaea.’
On arriving, Jesus found that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days already. When Martha heard that Jesus had come she went to meet him. Mary remained sitting in the house. Martha said to Jesus, ‘If you had been here, my brother would not have died, but I know that even now, whatever you ask of God, he will grant you.’
'Your brother’ said Jesus to her ‘will rise again.’
Martha said, ‘I know he will rise again at the resurrection on the last day.’
Jesus said: ‘I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?
‘Yes Lord,’ she said ‘I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world.’ Jesus said in great distress, with a sigh that came straight from the heart, ‘Where have you put him?’ They said, ‘See how much he loved him!’ But there were some who remarked, ‘He opened the eyes of the blind man, could he not have prevented this man’s death?’
Still sighing, Jesus reached the tomb; it was a cave with a stone to close the opening. Jesus said, ‘Take the stone away.’ Martha said to him, ‘Lord, by now he will smell; this is the fourth day.’
Jesus replied, ‘Have I not told you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone.
Then Jesus lifted up his eyes and said:
‘Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer. I knew indeed that you always hear me, but I speak for the sake of all these who stand round me, so that they may believe it was you who sent me.’
When he had said this, he cried in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, here! Come out!’
The dead man came out, his feet and hands bound with bands of stuff and a cloth round his face.
Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, let him go free.’
Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what he did believed in 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 March, 2026
AN CUIGIU DOMHNACH DEN CHARGHAS
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig Ezícéal Fáidh. 37:12-14
Cuirfidh mé mo spiorad ionaibh agus mairfidh sibh.
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna Dia:
Féach, a phobal liom,
tá mé chun bhur n-uaigheanna a oscailt, chun sibh a thabhairt aníos as bhur n-uaigheanna, agus seolfaidh mé abhaile sibh go tír Iosrael. Tuigfidh sibh gur mise an Tiarna nuair a osclóidh mé bhur n-uaigheanna, nuair a thabharfaidh mé aníos sibh as bhur n-uaigheanna, a phobal liom. Cuirfidh mé mo spiorad ionaibh agus beidh sibh beo, agus socróidh mé sibh síos in bhur dtír féin. Ansin a thuigfidh sibh gur mise, an Tiarna, a labhair, agus gur mise a rinne é – an Tiarna a labhraíonn.”Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 129 R/v 7
Freagra Is ag an Tiarna atá trócaire, agus tá fuascailt aige go flúirseach.
I. As na doimhní a éim ort, a Thiarna. A Thiarna, éist le mo ghuth!
Tugadh do chluasa aire do ghlór m'achainí. Freagra
2. Dá gcoinneofá cuimhne, a Thiarna, ar chionta, a Thiarna, cé thiocfadh slán?
Ach tugann tú maithiúnas sna peacaí: agus ar an ábhar sin móraimid thú. Freagra
3. Tá mo dhóchas sa Tiarna agam, cuireann m'anam a dhóchas ina bhriathar.
Is mó an feitheamh a dhéanann m'anam ar an Tiarna ná feitheamh lucht faire ar an láchaint.
Ná raibh feitheamh lucht faire ar an láchaint.
Níos mó ná feitheamh Isráél ar an Tiarna. Freagra
4. Óir is ag an Tiarna atá trócaire agus tá fuascailt aige go flúirseach;
agus fuasclóidh séisean Isráél óna urchóidí go léir. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 8:8-11
Spiorad an té a thóg losa ó mhairbh, tá sé lonnaithe ionaibh.
A bhráithre, na daoine, atá faoi réir na colainne ní féidir dóibh Dia a shásamh.Ní faoi réir na colainne atá sibhse, áfach, ach faoi réir an Spioraid más rud é go bhfuil Spiorad Dé lonnaithe ionaibh. Má tá duine gan Spiorad Chríost aige ní le Críost é. Ach má tá Críost ionaibh, más marbh féin bhur gcorp de bharr an pheaca, is beo bhur spiorad de bharr na fíréantachta. Go deimhin má bhíonn Spiorad an té a thóg Críost ó mhairbh lonnaithe ionaibh, déanfaidh an té sin a thóg Críost ó mhairbh bhur gcorp básmhar a bheoú trína Spiorad atá lonnaithe ionaibh.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Véarsa Eo 11:25, 26
'Mise an tAiséiri agus an Bheatha,' a deir an Tiarna;
'An te a chreideann ionamsa ní bhfaighidh sé bás choiche.'
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 11:1-45
Mise an tAiséiri agus an Bheatha.
San am sin bhí duine áirithe tinn, Lazaras ó Bheatáine, baile Mháire agus Mharta a deirfiúr. Ba í an Mháire sin a raibh a deartháir Lazaras tinn anois, a rinne an Tiarna a ungadh le hola agus a thriomaigh a chosa lena gruaig. Chuir na deirfiúracha teachtaireacht chuige á rá: “A thiarna, féach, tá an té is ionúin leat tinn.” Arna chloisteáil sin d’Íosa dúirt sé: “Ní chun báis an galar seo ach chun glóire Dé, chun go dtabharfaí glóir do Mhac Dé tríd.”
Bhí cion ag Íosa ar Mharta agus ar a deirfiúr Máire, agus ar Lazaras. Nuair a chuala sé go raibh sé breoite, mar sin féin, d’fhan sé dhá lá mar a raibh sé. Ansin, tar éis an méid sin, dúirt sé lena dheisceabail: “Téimis go Iúdáia arís.” Dúirt a dheisceabail leis: “A Mháistir, bhí na Giúdaigh ag iarraidh gabháil de chlocha ionat ó chianaibhín, agus an rachaidh tú chun na háite sin arís?”
D’fhreagair Íosa: “Nach bhfuil dhá uair déag sa lá? Má shiúlann duine sa lá ní fhaigheann sé barrthuisle, mar feiceann sé solas an tsaoil seo. Ach má shiúlann sé san oíche,faigheann sé barrthuisle mar níl an solas sa duine sin.”
Sin é mar a labhair sé agus ansin dúirt sé leo: “Tá ár gcara Lazaras ina chodladh, ach táim ag dul á dhúiseacht.”
Dúirt a dheisceabail leis ansin: “Má tá sé ina chodladh, a Thiarna, beidh sé slán.”
Is ar a bhás a labhair Íosa, ach shíl siadsan gur ar shuan codlata a labhair sé. Dúirt Íosa leo go hoscailte ansin dá bhrí sin: “Tá Lazaras marbh; agus tá áthas orm ar bhur sonsa nach raibh mé ann, ionas go gcreidfeadh sibh. Ach téanam chuige.”
Ansin dúirt Tomás, ar a dtugtar an Leathchúpla, lena chomhdheisceabail: “Téanam, sinne chomh maith, chun bás a fháil in éineacht leis.”
Ar theacht d’Íosa dá réir sin, fuair sé é agus é ceithre lá cheana féin sa tuama. Bhí Béatáine timpeall chúig staid déag ó Iarúsailéim. Bhí cuid mhór Giúdach tagtha ag triall ar Mharta agus ar Mháire chun sólás a chur orthu i ndiaidh a ndearthár. Nuair a chuala Marta mar sin go raibh Íosa tagtha, chuaigh sí amach ina choinne. D’fhan Máire ina suí sa teach.
Dúirt Marta ansin le Íosa: “A Thiarna, dá mbeifeá-sa anseo ní bhfaigheadh mo dheartháir bás. Ach tá a fhios agam anois féin, cibé ní a iarrfaidh tú ar Dhia, go dtabharfaidh Dia duit é.”
Dúirt Íosa léi: “Éireoidh do dheartháir arís.”
“Tá a fhios agam,” arsa Marta leis, “go n-éireoidh sé arís san aiséirí an lá deireanach.”
Dúirt Íosa léi:
“Mise an t-aiséirí agus an bheatha; An té a chreideann ionamsa, fiú amháin má fhaigheann sé bás, mairfidh sé, agus gach duine a mhaireann is a chreideann ionamsa, ní bhfaighidh sé bás choíche. An gcreideann tú an méid sin?”“Creidim, a Thiarna,” ar sí, “creidim gur tú Críost, Mac Dé, atá ag teacht ar an saol.”
Arna rá sin di, d’imigh sí agus ghlaoigh sí ar Mháire a deirfiúr gan fhios agus dúirt: “Tá an máistir anseo agus tá sé ag glaoch ort.” Nuair a chuala sise an méid sin d’éirigh sí go tapa agus chuaigh sí ag triall air. Óir ní raibh Íosa tagtha fós isteach sa bhaile ach bhí sé go fóill san áit inar bhuail Marta leis. Na Giúdaigh ansin a bhí sa teach i bhfochair Mháire ag cur sóláis uirthi, nuair a chonaic siad Máire ag éirí agus ag imeacht amach go deithneasach, lean siad í á mheas gur ag dul chun an tuama a bhí sí le caoineadh a dhéanamh ann.
Nuair a tháinig Máire mar a raibh Íosa, agus go bhfaca sí é, chaith sí í féin ag a chosa, á rá leis:
“A Thiarna, dá mbeifeá anseo ní bhfaigheadh mo dheartháir bás.” Ansin nuair a chonaic Íosa ag gol í agus na Giúdaigh a tháinig in éineacht léi ag gol, tháinig suaitheadh spioraid agus buaireamh air, agus dúirt sé: “Cá bhfuil sé curtha agaibh?” Dúirt siad leis: “Tar, a Thiarna, agus feic.” Bhris a ghol ar Íosa. Dúirt na Giúdaigh dá bhrí sin: “Féach, cad é cion a bhí aige air!” Ach dúirt cuid acu: “An té seo a d’oscail súile an daill, nach bhféadfadh sé chomh maith an duine seo a choimeád ón mbás?” Tháinig suaitheadh arís ansin ar Íosa agus tháinig sé go dtí an tuama; pluais a ba ea é agus líog ina luí lena bhéal.
Dúirt Íosa: “Aistrígí an líog.” Dúirt Marta, deirfiúr an mhairbh leis: “Tá sé bréan faoin am seo, mar tá sé ceithre lá marbh.”
Dúirt Íosa léi: “Nach ndúirt mé leat: má chreideann tú go bhfeicfidh tú glóir Dé?” D’aistrigh siad an líog ansin agus d’ardaigh Íosa a shúile agus dúirt:
“A Athair, gabhaim buíochas leat gur éist tú liom; bhí a fhios agam féin go n-éisteann tú liom i gconaí; ach is ar son an tslua atá ina seasamh anseo i mo thimpeall, a labhair mé, chun go gcreidfidís gur chuir tú uait mé.”Arna rá sin dó, ghlaoigh sé de ghlór ard: “A Lazaras, tar amach!”
Agus tháinig an marbhán amach agus éadaí báis fillte ar a lámha agus a chosa agus brat ar a cheannaithe.
Dúirt Íosa leo: “Scaoiligí é agus ligigí chun siúil é.” Ansin a lán do na Giúdaigh a tháinig go Máire agus Marta agus a chonaic a ndearna sé, chreid siad ann.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
