Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Apr 17 - St Donan and his 52 monks (d. 618)
Summary: St Donan is a saint, perhaps of Irish birth, who is associated with many places in Scotland. He probably lived around the time of St Columba, who foretold his martyrdom.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
A little Younger than St Columba
Donan was contemporary with or a little younger than St Columba. The presumption is that he was Irish, perhaps from the north-east coast of Dalriada and that he belonged to the Irish Picts. In early adulthood he crossed to Galloway, Scotland and may have had some formation at Whithorn (Candida Casa) founded by St Ninian.
Churches Dedicated to him
A chain of Kildonans up the west coast of Scotland indicates the path he may have followed beginning with a Kildonan at Kirkmaiden in Galloway and a Chapel Donan at Kirkcolm, also in Galloway, a Kildonan on the Isle of Arran in Strathclyde and Kildonan on the island of Eigg in the Inner Hebrides. There are also Kildonans on the island of Little Bernera in the Outer Hebrides and in Sutherland in north-east Scotland. There is also an Eilean Donan near Dornie in Western Rossshire, just inland from the Isle of Skye, where there is a castle that is frequently photographed.
Columba refuses to be his anamchara and foretells a "red martyrdom"
It is said that Donan went to visit Columba, asking him to be his anamchara or soul-friend and that Columba refused. This may have been because Donan was welcomed by the Picts while Columba may have had his difficulties with them. But another story records that Columba said: "I will not be anamchara to one who will inherit red martyrdom along with your people."
How the massacre/martyrdom happened
The story of his martyrdom is linked to a raid by pirates or perhaps Viking raiders on his monastery on the island of Eigg during the Easter Vigil where Donan was the chief celebrant.
It is possible that the raid was instigated by a woman of some importance who was angry that the monks, kept sheep on the island, and perhaps deprived her of her pasture rights. At any rate the raiders seemed to know in advance when all the community would be gathered together. They allowed Donan to complete the liturgy before herding him and all his fifty two monks into the refectory and setting it on fire.
The massacre is recorded in the Martyrology of Tallaght, the Martyrology of Donegal, the Martyrology of Gorman and the Féilire of Oengus.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
A little Younger than St Columba
Donan was contemporary with or a little younger than St Columba. The presumption is that he was Irish, perhaps from the north-east coast of Dalriada and that he belonged to the Irish Picts. In early adulthood he crossed to Galloway, Scotland and may have had some formation at Whithorn (Candida Casa) founded by St Ninian.Churches Dedicated to him
A chain of Kildonans up the west coast of Scotland indicates the path he may have followed beginning with a Kildonan at Kirkmaiden in Galloway and a Chapel Donan at Kirkcolm, also in Galloway, a Kildonan on the Isle of Arran in Strathclyde and Kildonan on the island of Eigg in the Inner Hebrides. There are also Kildonans on the island of Little Bernera in the Outer Hebrides and in Sutherland in north-east Scotland. There is also an Eilean Donan near Dornie in Western Rossshire, just inland from the Isle of Skye, where there is a castle that is frequently photographed.
Columba refuses to be his anamchara and foretells a "red martyrdom"
It is said that Donan went to visit Columba, asking him to be his anamchara or soul-friend and that Columba refused. This may have been because Donan was welcomed by the Picts while Columba may have had his difficulties with them. But another story records that Columba said: "I will not be anamchara to one who will inherit red martyrdom along with your people."
How the massacre/martyrdom happened
The story of his martyrdom is linked to a raid by pirates or perhaps Viking raiders on his monastery on the island of Eigg during the Easter Vigil where Donan was the chief celebrant.
It is possible that the raid was instigated by a woman of some importance who was angry that the monks, kept sheep on the island, and perhaps deprived her of her pasture rights. At any rate the raiders seemed to know in advance when all the community would be gathered together. They allowed Donan to complete the liturgy before herding him and all his fifty two monks into the refectory and setting it on fire.
The massacre is recorded in the Martyrology of Tallaght, the Martyrology of Donegal, the Martyrology of Gorman and the Féilire of Oengus.
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Memorable Saying for Today
The tyrant dies and his rule is over.
The martyr dies and his rule begins.
~ Soren Kierkegaard ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Friday, 17th April, 2026
Friday in the Second Week of Easter
Jesus communicated his life giving power through his words and personal sacrificial actions.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 5:34-42
They left, glad to have had the honour of suffering humiliation for the sake of the name of Jesus.
One member of the Sanhedrin, however, a Pharisee called Gamaliel, who was a doctor of the Law and respected by the whole people, stood up and asked to have the apostles taken outside for a time. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin,
'Men of Israel, be careful how you deal with these people. There was Theudas who became notorious not so long ago. He claimed to be someone important, and he even collected about four hundred followers; but when he was killed, all his followers scattered and that was the end of them.And then there was Judas the Galilean, at the time of the census, who attracted crowds of supporters; but he got killed too, and all his followers dispersed.
What I suggest, therefore, is that you leave these men alone and let them go. If this enterprise, this movement of theirs, is of human origin it will break up of its own accord; but if it does in fact come from God you will not only be unable to destroy them, but you might find yourselves fighting against God.'
His advice was accepted; and they had the apostles called in, gave orders for them to be flogged, warned them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. And so they left the presence of the Sanhedrin glad to have had the honour of suffering humiliation for the sake of the name. They preached every day both in the Temple and in private houses, and their proclamation of the Good News of Christ Jesus was never interrupted.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 26:1 4. 13-14, R/v 4.
Response There is one thing I ask of the Lord,
to live in the house of the Lord.
Or Alleluia!
1. The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink? Response
2. There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long,
to live in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life,
to savour the sweetness of the Lord, to behold his temple. Response
3. I am sure I shall see the Lord's goodness in the land of the living.
Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord! Response
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, Alleluia!
We know that Christ is truly risen from the dead; have mercy on us, triumphant King.
Alleluia
Or Mt 4:4
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 6:1-15 Glory to you, O Lord.
To all who were sitting ready Jesus gave out as much as was wanted.
Jesus went off to the other side of the Sea of Galilee - or of Tiberias - and a large crowd followed him, impressed by the signs he gave by curing the sick. Jesus climbed the hillside, and sat down there with his disciples. It was shortly before the Jewish feast of Passover.
Looking up, Jesus saw the crowds approaching and said to Philip,'Where can we buy some bread for these people to eat?'
He only said this to test Philip; he himself knew exactly what he was going to do. Philip answered, 'Two hundred denarii would only buy enough to give them a small piece each.'
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said,
'There is a small boy here with five barley loaves and two fish; but what is that between so many?'
Jesus said to them, 'Make the people sit down.' There was plenty of grass there, and as many as five thousand men sat down. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and gave them out to all who were sitting ready; he then did the same with the fish, giving out as much as was wanted. When they had eaten enough he said to the disciples, 'Pick up the pieces left over, so that nothing gets wasted. ' So they picked them up, and filled twelve hampers with scraps left over from the meal of five barley loaves.
The people, seeing this sign that he had given, said, 'This really is the prophet who is to come into the world.' Jesus, who could see they were about to come and take him by force and make him king, escaped back to the hills by himself.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Friday Second Week of Easter John 6:1-15
The speech of Gamaliel in today’s first reading is thought-provoking. The Jewish Sanhedrin were worried about the growing popularity of the disciples of Jesus. Gamaliel said, in effect, that if this new movement is not from God, it will disappear, like so many other movements. If it is from God, the Sanhedrin are powerless to destroy it. God alone endures; he is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. What is of God will also endure. The church has endured for over 2,000 years because it is from God.
However, many aspects of church life have not endured because they were not of God. In these changing times for the church, we have to trust that what is of God will endure and what isn’t will pass away. In the gospel reading, after Jesus fed the multitude in the wilderness, the people wanted to take him by force and make his king. However, Jesus knew that this impulse was not from God and he fled from it, and the impulse passed away for the moment, even though the impulse to make the church an earthly kingdom would rear its head more than once in the following centuries. What doesn’t pass away, because it is of God, is Jesus’ capacity to work powerfully through humble human resources in the service of God’s people, such as feeding a large crowd with five barley loaves and two fish.
The risen Lord continues to work among us in this way today, as power in weakness. We can be tempted to ask the somewhat despairing question of Andrew in today’s gospel reading, ‘What is that between so many?’ We sense that there is much for us to do as the Lord’s disciples and our resources seem so small at times. Today’s gospel reading encourages us to trust that if we are generous with the resources we have, small as they may seem to us, the Lord will work powerfully through them in ways that will surprise us.
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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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Liturgical Readings for: Friday, 17th April, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as Leabhar Gníomhartha na nAspal 5: 34-42
D’imigh siadsan leo agus áthas orthu de chionn go mba fhiú le Dia iad tarcaisne a fhulaingt ar son ainm Íosa.
D’éirigh duine acu ina sheasamh sa tsainidrín, Fairisíneach darbh ainm Gamailíéil, máistir dlí a raibh meas ag an bpobal go léir air, agus d’iarr sé na fir a chur taobh amuigh den doras ar feadh tamaill. Labhair sé ansin leo:
“A fheara Iosrael,” ar seisean, “tugaigí aire céard a dhéanfaidh sibh leis na daoine seo.
Tamall ó shin tháinig Tiúdas chun cinn agus é á mhaíomh gur dhuine mór le rá é féin agus thaobhaigh suas le ceithre chéad fear leis. Ach maraíodh é agus scaipeadh a lucht leanúna nó go ndeachaigh siad ar neamhní.
Tháinig Iúdás Gailíleach chun cinn ina dhiaidh sin, aimsir an daonáirimh, agus mheall sé slua ina dhiaidh. Ach cailleadh eisean chomh maith agus scaipeadh a lucht leanúna go léir.
Agus is é a mholaim daoibhse anois, fanacht amach ó na daoine seo agus ligean dóibh. Más ó dhaoine an beart nó an obair seo, rachaidh sé ar neamhní; ach más ó Dhia é ní bheidh ar bhur gcumas-sa iad seo a chur ar neamhní –agus b’fhéidir gur ag cur in aghaidh Dé a bheadh sibh.”
Rinne siad rud air:chuir siad fios ar na haspail agus tar éis dóibh iad a sciúrsáil agus foláireamh a thabhairt dóibh gan labhairt in ainm Íosa, scaoil siad chun siúil iad. D’imigh siadsan leo ó láthair na sainidríne agus áthas orthu de chionn go mba fhiú le Dia iad tarcaisne a fhulaingt ar son ainm Íosa.
Agus ní stadaidís ach ag teagasc gach lá, sa Teampall agus ó theach go teach, agus ag fógairt an dea-scéil gurbh é Íosa an Críost.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 26:1 4. 13-14, R/v 4.
Freagra Iarraim aon ní amháin ar an Tiarna;
go gcónóidh mé in áras an Tiarna
Malairt Freagra Alleluia!
1. Is é an Tiarna mo sholas is mo shlánú, cé a chuirfidh eagla orm?
Is é an Tiarna daingean m’anama; cé a chuirfidh ar crith mé? Freagra
2. Iarraim aon ní amháin ar an Tiarna; bím ag tnúth leis de shíor:
go gcónóidh mé in áras an Tiarna gach lá de mo shaol;
go bhfaighidh mé taitneamh in aoibhneas an Tiarna
’s go bhfeicfidh mé a theampall. Freagra
3. Creidim go bhfeicfidh mé maitheas an Tiarna i dtír na mbeo.
Fan leis an Tiarna go meanmnach;
bíodh misneach i do chroí. Cuir do dhóchas sa Tiarna. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 6:1-15 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Bailígí an bruscar fuíligh chun nach rachadh aon ní amú.
San am sin d’imigh Íosa anonn thar farraige na Gailíle, is é sin, farraige Thibirias. Lean slua mór é mar chonaic siad na comharthaí a bhí sé a dhéanamh ar lucht tinnis. Ghabh Íosa an sliabh suas agus shuigh ansiúd in éineacht lena dheisceabail. Bhí féile na nGiúdach, an Cháisc, in achmaireacht.
Nuair a d’ardaigh Íosa a shúile, mar sin, agus nuair a chonaic go raibh slua mór ag teacht chuige, dúirt sé le Pilib: “Cá gceannóimid arán chun go mbeadh bia acu seo?”Ag baint trialach as a dúirt sé é sin, mar bhí a fhios aige féin cad a bhí sé chun a dhéanamh. D’fhreagair Pilib é: “Níor leor luach dhá chéad déanar d’arán chun go mbeadh greim an duine acu.”
Dúirt duine dá dheisceabail leis – ba é Aindrias é, deartháir Shíomóin Peadar:
“Tá ógánach anseo a bhfuil cúig builíní eorna aige, agus dhá iasc, ach cá rachadh an méid sin ar oiread daoine?”
Dúirt Íosa:
Cuirigí na daoine ina suí” – bhí mórán féir san áit.
Shuigh siad síos mar sin, timpeall cúig mhíle duine. Agus thóg Íosa na builíní, d’altaigh, agus roinn iad ar na daoine agus iad ina suí; agus mar an gcéanna oiread agus a b’áil leo de na héisc. Nuair a bhí siad sách, dúirt sé lena dheisceabail:
“Bailígí an bruscar fuíligh chun nach rachadh aon ní amú.”
Bhailigh siad ansin lán dhá chiseán déag de bhruscar as na cúig builíní eorna, a d’fhág na daoine a fuair an béile.
Nuair a chonaic na daoine, mar sin, cad é mar chomhartha a bhí déanta ag Íosa, dúirt siad: “Is é seo go dearfa an fáidh atá le teacht ar an saol.” Agus ó bhí a fhios ag Íosa go raibh ar aigne acu teacht á fhuadach chun rí a dhéanamh de, chuaigh sé i leataobh arís faoin sliabh ina aonar.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 19th April, 2026
Third Sunday of Easter, Year A
Jesus, after walking and sharing his reflections is fully recognised in his breaking and sharing the bread and wine of the Eucharist as a celebration of his Risen Lordship.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:14, 22-33
It was impossible for him to be held in its power of Hades.
On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed them in a loud voice:
'Men of Judaea, and all you who live in Jerusalem, make no mistake about this, but listen carefully to what I say. Men of Israel, listen to what I am going to say: Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God by the miracles and portents and signs that God worked through him when he was among you, as you all know. This man, who was put into your power by the deliberate intention and foreknowledge of God, you took and had crucified by men outside the Law. You killed him, but God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades; for it was impossible for him to be held in its power since, as David says of him:
"I saw the Lord before me always,
for with him at my right hand nothing can shake me.
So my heart was glad and my tongue cried out with joy;
my body, too, will rest in the hope that you will not abandon my soul to Hades
nor allow your holy one to experience corruption.
You have made known the way of life to me, you will fill me with gladness through your presence."
'Brothers, no one can deny that the patriarch David himself is dead and buried: his tomb is still with us. But since he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn him an oath to make one of his descendants succeed him on the throne, 'what he foresaw and spoke about was the resurrection of the Christ: he is the one who was not abandoned to Hades, and whose body did not experience corruption. God raised this man Jesus to life, and all of us are witnesses to that. Now raised to the heights by God's right hand, he has received from the Father the Holy Spirit, who was promised, and what you see and hear is the outpouring of that Spirit.'
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 15:1-211. 5. 7-11. R/v 11
Response Show us, Lord, the path of life.
or Alleluia!
1. Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. I say to the Lord: 'You are my God.
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize.' Response
2. I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight:since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm. Response
3. And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay. Response
4. You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Peter 1:17-21
Your ransom was paid in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely Christ.
If you are acknowledging as your Father one who has no favourites and judges everyone according to what he has done, you must be scrupulously careful as long as you are living away from your home. Remember, the ransom that was paid to free you from the useless way of life your ancestors handed down was not paid in anything corruptible, neither in silver nor gold, but in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely Christ; who, though known since before the world was made, has been revealed only in our time, the end of the ages, for your sake.
Through him you now have faith in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory for that very reason - so that you would have faith and hope in God.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Lk 24:32
Alleluia, alleluia!
Lord Jesus, explain the scriptures to us.
Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 24:13-35 Glory to you O Lord
They recognised him at the breaking of bread.
Two of the disciples of Jesus were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him. He said to them, 'What matters are you discussing as you walk along?' They stopped short, their faces downcast.
Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him,
'You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days'.
'What things?' he asked.
'All about Jesus of Nazareth' they answered 'who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people; and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. And this is not all: two whole days have gone by since it all happened; and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning, and when they did not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive. Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.'
Then he said to them, 'You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?'
Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself.
When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them. 'It is nearly evening' they said 'and the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them.
Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight.Then they said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?'
They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem.
There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, who said to them, 'Yes, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.'
Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.
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, 19th April, 2026
An Tríú Domhnach den Cháisc, Blian A
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an Leabhar Gníomhartha na nAspal 2:14, 22-33
Níorbh fhéidir go gcoinneodh an bás faoina smacht é.
Lá Cincise d’éirigh Peadar ina sheasamh i gcuideachta an Aon Duine Dhéag agus labhair leo de ghuth ard:
“A fheara Iosrael, éistigí leis na briathra seo: Fear ab ea Íosa Nazórach ar thug Dia féin teastas daoibh air leis na míorúiltí agus na héachtaí agus na fearta a rinne Dia tríd fad a bhí sé in bhur measc, mar is eol daoibh féin. Nuair a tugadh suas daoibh é de réir chomhairle cinnte agus réamheolas Dé, chuir sibh chun báis é, á thairneáil ar an gcrois trí lámha mallaitheoirí. Ach thóg Dia ó na mairbh é agus d’fhuascail ó arraingeacha an bháis é, mar níorbh fhéidir go gcoinneodh an bás faoina smacht é. Mar is é a deir Dáiví faoi:
“Choinnigh mé mo shúile ar an Tiarna de shíor.Tá sé ar mo dheasláimh, i dtreo nach suaithfear mé.
Tá gliondar ar mo chroí dá chionn agus tá meidhir ar mo theanga.
Tá mo cholainn féin faoi shuaimhneas le dóchas,
mar ní fhágfaidh tú mé i riocht na marbh
ná ní ligfidh tú do do neach naofa an meathlú a fhulaingt.
Thaispeáin tú dom bóthar na beatha agus líonfaidh tú mé le háthas i do láthair.
“Ní miste a rá libh go neamhbhalbh, a bhráithre, go bhfuair ár n-ardathair Dáiví bás, gur adhlacadh é agus go bhfuil a thuama anseo againn go dtí an lá inniu.Ach ó tharla gurbh fháidh é agus a fhios aige gur mhionnaigh Dia dó go gcuirfeadh sé duine dá shliocht ar a ríchathaoir,is ag cur síos a bhí sé, as a réamheolas, ar aiséirí Chríost mar ‘níor fágadh I riocht na marbh é agus níor fhulaing a cholainn an meathlú’. Thóg Dia an Íosa seo ó mhairbh, rud a bhfuilimidne go léir inár bhfinnéithe air. Agus tar éis a ardaithe ar dheis Dé, fuair sé óna Athair an Spiorad a bhí geallta agus dhoirt amach orainne é agus is é sin atá á fheiceáil agus á chloisteáil agaibhse.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 15:1-211. 5. 7-11. R/v 11
Freagra Taispeáin dúinn slí na beatha, a Thiarna.
Malairt freagra Alleluia
1. Caomhnaigh mé, a Thiarna, is ortsa a thriallaim. Deirim leis an Tiarna: 'Is tú mo Dhia.
Is é an Tiarna is rogha liom: mo chuid de réir oidhreachta, agus cuid mo chailíse; is ort atá mo sheasamh!' Freagra
2. Beannaím an Tiarna as ucht comhairle a thabhairt dom,agus teagasc a thabhairt do mo chroí san oíche.
Coimeádaim an Tiarna de shíor os mo choinne:agus é ar mo dheasláimh ní chorrófar me choíche. Freagra
3. Tá gairdeas ar mo chroí agus áthas ar m'anam, agus mairfidh mo cholainn faoi shuaimhneas freisin.
Óir ní fhágfaidh tú m'anam i measc na marbh, ná ní ligfidh tú do do mhuirneach truailliú a fheiceáil Freagra
4. Taispeáin tú slí na beatha dom, agus iomlán lúcháire i d'fhianaise,
agus aoibhneas ar do dheasláimh go brách. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Peadar 1:17-21
Óir is feasach sibh le fuil luachmhar Chríost, amhail fuil uain gan mháchail gan cháim.
A clann ionúin, má thugann sibh Athair ar an té sin a thugann breith gan leathchuma ar gach duine de réir a bhirt, ní foláir daoibh sibh féin a iompar go heaglach le linn bhur ndeoraíochta. Óir is feasach sibh nach le nithe sothruaillithe mar ór nó airgead a fuasclaíodh sibh ó bhur n-iompar baoth a fuair sibh mar oidhreacht ó bhur n-aithreacha, ach le fuil luachmhar Chríost, amhail fuil uain gan mháchail gan cháim. Bhí aithne air cheana féin roimh chruthú an domhain, ach foilsíodh é i ndeireadh ré ar bhur sonsa a chreideann trídsean i nDia, a thóg ó mhairbh é, agus a thug glóir dó, le go mbeadh creideamh agus dóchas agaibhse i nDia.Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Lc 24: 32
Alleluia, alleluia!
A Thiaina Íosa, nocht na scrioptúir dúinn;
cuir ár gcroí ar Iasadh ionainn Ie linn duit bheith ag labhairt linn.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 24:13-35
Thóg Íosa an t-arán agus bheannaigh, bhris sé ansin agus thug dóibh é. Osclaíodh a súile agus d’aithin siad é.
An lá sin féin, bhí beirt de na deisceabail ag dul go dtí baile darbh ainm Eamáus a bhí céad staid seascad ó Iarúsailéim, agus bhí siad ag comhrá le chéile faoi na nithe seo uile a bhí tar éis titim amach. Agus sa chomhrá dóibh agus sa chur trí chéile, dhruid Íosa féin leo agus shiúil lena gcois; ach bhí a súile coinnithe chun nach n-aithneoidís é. Dúirt sé leo: “Cad iad na scéala iad seo atá sibh a reic le chéile sa tslí?” Agus stad siad suas agus iad go gruama.
Dúirt duine acu leis á fhreagairt – Cleopas ab ainm dó: “An tusa an t-aon duine amháin atá ag cur fút in Iarúsailéim atá in ainbhios ar na nithe a tharla ann sna laethanta seo?”
Dúirt sé leo: “Cad iad na nithe?”
Dúirt siad leis: “Mar gheall ar Íosa – Nazairéanach, duine a bhí ina fháidh éifeachtach ó ghníomh agus ó bhriathar i bhfianaise Dé agus an phobail uile; mar a thug ár n-ardsagairt agus ár gcinn urra ar láimh é lena dhaoradh chun báis, agus mar a chéas siad é. Agus sinne ag súil leis gurbh eisean a bhí chun Iosrael a fhuascailt! Ach chomh maith leis an méid sin uile, tá an treas lá inniu ann ó thit na nithe sin amach. Agus go deimhin, tá mná dár muintir tar éis alltacht a chur orainn. Ar dhul go dtí an tuama dóibh go moch ar maidin, nuair nach raibh a chorp le fáil acu ann, tháinig siad agus scéala acu, fiú amháin, gur thaispeáin aingil iad féin dóibh a dúirt go bhfuil sé beo. Chuaigh cuid dár gcompánaigh go dtí an tuama ansin, agus fuair gurbh amhlaidh a bhí mar a dúirt na mná, ach ní fhaca siad é féin.”
Ansin dúirt sé féin leo:
“A dhaoine gan tuiscint atá dúr ó chroí chun a bhfuil ráite ag na fáithe a chreidiúint! Nárbh fholáir go bhfulaingeodh an Críost na nithe úd chun go dtiocfadh sé isteach ina ghlóir?”
Agus ag tosú dó ó Mhaois agus ó na fáithe uile, mhínigh sé dóibh na nithe a bhí sna scrioptúir uile mar gheall air féin.
Nuair a bhí siad I ngar don bhaile ar a raibh a dtriall, bhí de chuma air féin go raibh sé ag dul níos faide, agus rinne siad tathant air á rá:
“Fan againn, óir tá sé i mbéal tráthnóna agus an lá siar síos cheana féin.”
Chuaigh sé isteach dá réir sin chun fanacht acu. Agus ansin, nuair a bhí sé ag bord in éineacht leo, thóg sé an t-arán agus bheannaigh, bhris sé ansin agus thug dóibh é. Osclaíodh a súile agus d’aithin siad é; ach chuaigh sé ar neamhní uathu. Agus dúirt siad le chéile: “Nach raibh ár gcroí ar lasadh ionainn le linn dó bheith ag labhairt linn feadh na slí, agus é ag nochtadh na scrioptúr dúinn?”
Chuir siad chun bóthair an uair sin féin agus chuaigh ar ais go Iarúsailéim. Fuair siad an t-aon duine déag agus a gcompánaigh bailithe le chéile agus é de scéal acu: “Tá an Tiarna éirithe go deimhin agus chonacthas do Shíomón é.” Agus rinne siad féin ar tharla sa tslí a aithris, agus mar a d’aithin siad é i mbriseadh an aráin.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
