Reflections on the Daily Readings 11th October 2021

Webmaster • October 9, 2021

Monday 11th October


MEMORIAL OF JOHN XXIII, POPE

He saw thee more clearly


The humble Pope John XXIII disliked the pomp and attention that came with his role, and he insisted on being called simply “the pope.” Nearly 60 years since his pontificate, he is remembered in Italy as il papa buono, “the good pope.” In the short time he was pope—less than five years before he died of cancer in 1963—he changed the Catholic Church like few others by convening the Second Vatican Council. On his deathbed, he said: “It is not that the gospel has changed; it is that we have begun to understand it better.” We can always use the intercession of “the good pope” as we keep seeking to understand better what the gospel means in our changing times.


Today's readings: Romans 1:1-7; Luke 11:29-32 .

“Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.”



Tuesday 12th October


Our pillar of strength


Today is the feast day of Virgin Maria del Pilar, a Spanish devotion commemorating the first official Marian apparition of the Catholic Church. According to tradition, Mary first appeared—while still alive—to the apostle James in the year 40, as he preached the gospel to the people of Spain. Saint James, despondent over his progress, prayed for reassurance, and Our Lady appeared to him in a supernatural manner, standing upon a pillar held aloft by angels. Because October is the month of the Rosary, honor Maria with the beautiful Hail Holy Queen prayer that’s part of that devotion.


Today's readings: Romans 1:16-25; Luke 11:37-41 (468)

"I am not ashamed of the Gospel"




Wednesday 13th October


God to humanity: Can’t buy my love


From at least the time of the Pharisees, important people in the eyes of the world often assumed they had the inside track on a pleasant afterlife. Pope Francis begged to differ in an Advent season homily several years back. At the Last Judgment, Francis said, Jesus will not say, “‘You, come with me because you have given so much money to the church. You are a benefactor of the church. Come, come to Heaven.’ No. You can’t buy your way into Heaven. And He won’t say: ‘You are very important, you have studied so much and earned so many honors, come into Heaven.’ No. Awards do not open the gate of Heaven,” Francis said. “What will Jesus tell us to open up the gates of Heaven? ‘I was hungry, and you gave Me to eat. I was homeless, and you gave Me shelter. I was sick, and you came to see Me. I was in prison, and you came to visit Me.’ Jesus is humility,” Francis said. Close your purse or wallet, and open your heart!


Today's readings: Romans 2:1-11; Luke 11:42-46 (469)

"You pay tithes of mint and rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgement and to love for God"


Thursday 14th October


MEMORIAL OF CALLISTUS I, POPE, MARTYR

Patron saint of second (or more) chances


Saint Callistus I is inspiration to anyone who has made major errors in life. Callistus seriously messed up, not once but twice. Born into slavery, his master put him in charge of a bank that Callistus criminally mismanaged. After a while in prison, he was freed to earn back the money he owed. Instead, he was arrested for brawling in a synagogue. Strike two. Nonetheless, Callistus reformed himself, served the early church as a cemetery manager, and was eventually elected pope! Consider saying a prayer of thanks for a church that offers redemption (even the papacy) to people who have fallen hard.


Today's readings: Romans 3:21-30; Luke 11:47-54 (470).

“Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge.”


Friday 15th October


MEMORIAL OF TERESA OF JESUS, VIRGIN, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

Don’t be afraid of the dark


The dark night of the soul, a term coined by Spanish mystic Saint John of the Cross, describes a period on the spiritual journey when one feels distant from God and suffers physical and emotional pain. Saint Teresa of Ávila, a close friend of John’s, actually felt like she was going mad as she pursued the contemplative life. But then, in 1567, while gazing at a statue of Jesus, she felt an ecstasy beyond description as she reached “union with God.” Teresa wrote much about her interior life, and she encouraged others to experience the “great gifts that come through abandoning everything to God and dying to oneself.” Pray for the patience and humility to stay the spiritual course.


Today's readings: Romans 4:1-8; Luke 12:1-7 (471).

“Therefore, whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light.”



Saturday 16th October


I was hungry


World Food Day was established in 1979 by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and is celebrated annually on this date in 150 countries. The theme for this year’s celebration is, “Safe food now for a healthy tomorrow.” The World Food Program (WFP) is the food-assistance branch of the organization. As of 2019, the WFP has served 97 million people in 88 countries, and it was awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to combat hunger and contribute to peace in conflict areas. Take a moment today to thank God for the food you eat and the people who produce it, and to support your local World Food Day celebration.


Today's readings: Romans 4:13, 16-18; Luke 12:8-12 (472).

“I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.”

Prayers for the Sick

By Webmaster • January 30, 2026
Please pray for Our Sick : Margaret Callaghan Doreen Cleary, Michael Ritchie, Neil Boyle, John Rielly Molly Strang, James Clark, Fr. Michael McLaughlin, Patricia Henderson, Joanna Maier (Connecticut USA), Therese Gilgunn Tressy Callaghan, Suzanne McMurray, Mary Coyle, Lesley Watson (Spain) Maureen McHugh, Margaret Burke, Marie White, Kathleen Daly, John McGuire, Jill Brown, Karen Pritchatt, Louise Newton, Faith Lyndsey, Jill Brown, Marie McGuire, James Morton, Paul Kearney, Thomas Daly, Andrew McCluskey, Premature Baby Vincent McDowell, Bill Allan, Gudren Berk (Germany), Jaqueline McReynolds, Mary Morrison, Helen Howarth (Easterhouse) Eugene McVey and all our sick.

Dates for your diary

By Webmaster • January 30, 2026
Mass of the Sick Saturday 14th February 10am Mass Ash Wednesday 18th February: Masses 7am, 10am & 6pm Sacramental Meetings Tuesday 24th February St. Peter's & St. Mark's 6pm First Confession 6.30pm First Communion  7pm Confirmation Meetings will take place in the Church

Gift Aid

By Webmaster • January 30, 2026
If you wish to sign up for Gift Aid. It is a great way to help the parish financially, costing you absolutely nothing. If you wish to sign up contact myself or Doreen Lee and we will give you the form and hand it back as you can and we can get it organised. As I said it costs you nothing, but helps the parish so much.

This week's readings

By Webmaster • January 30, 2026
First Reading Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13 There will be a people who remain sheltered from God’s anger. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 146:6-10 The Lord is faithful forever. Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 God chooses the weak to show his power. Gospel Reading Matthew 5:1-12a Jesus teaches what it means to be happy. Background on the Gospel Reading Today’s reading is the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which is found in Matthew’s Gospel. The form of the Beatitudes found here is not unique to Jesus. Beatitudes are found in the Old Testament, in the psalms, and in wisdom literature, for example. They are a way to teach about who will find favor with God. We quickly note in this reading that the people whom Jesus calls “blessed” and “happy” are not people we think of as blessed or happy . . . the poor in spirit, the meek, the persecuted. This Gospel is one of reversals. Jesus’ blueprint for happiness reflects little of what the world might call happiness.  “Blessed” is sometimes translated as happy, fortunate, or favored. In other words, Jesus is saying that divine favor is upon those who are poor, those who mourn, those who are persecuted. This news might have been welcome—and surprising—to the crowds who heard Jesus that day. The Beatitudes can be understood as a framework for Christian living. Our vocation as Christians is not to be first in this world, but rather to be first in the eyes of God. By referring to the good things that the faithful will experience, Matthew reminds us that those who act in the manner described in the Beatitudes will find their reward with God.

Prayers for the recently dead, months, mind and Anniversaries

By Webmaster • January 30, 2026
Our Recently Dead Frances Drummond, Mary McCrudden, Mary Mearns, Grace Hogg (Wishaw), Baby Lila Rose Kasap (2 months) Anne Marie Watson, Jean Murdoch Month Minds & Anniversaries John Corns, Margaret McCluskey, Helen Connolly, Catherine, Patrick & James O'Donnell, Mary Lyons, Margaret Mine, Marie McLaughlin, Jean & Mary Kane, Mary, Pat & Margaret Cox, Edward & Margaret Rodden Please if you could make sure all month minds and anniversaries are handed in no later than Wednesday Night. If they come in after that they will be read out at Mass on Sunday. If the recently dead come in after the Wednesday deadline they too will be read out at Mass on the Sunday

Powerpoint Remote Control:

By Webmaster • January 30, 2026
I am looking for Volunteers to move the power-points on during the Sunday Masses, Vigil 4pm, 9.30am & 11am. It is very easy to operate, if we get enough volunteers for each Mass we would put a wee rota together. It would take a wee bit of pressure off me.

Year of St Francis of Assisi

By Webmaster • January 24, 2026
The “Year of St Francis of Assisi”, was proclaimed by Pope Leo, in Rome to mark the 800th Anniversary of St Francis’ death in 2026. I am proposing to put a statue of St. Francis in the Church for this jubilee year. This is from EWTN Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a “Special Year of St. Francis” to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death. During this time of grace, which will extend until January 2027, the faithful are granted the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence . This Franciscan Jubilee Year, considered a gift for the entire Church and an occasion for authentic spiritual renewal, was inaugurated on Jan. 10 with a decree issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See. Until Jan. 10 of next year, the faithful can obtain this grace under the usual conditions — sacramental confession, Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the pope — by making a pilgrimage to any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship dedicated to St. Francis anywhere in the world. Furthermore, the elderly, the sick, and those who, for serious reasons, cannot leave their homes can obtain the plenary indulgence  by spiritually joining in the jubilee celebrations and offering their prayers, pains, or sufferings to God.

Mass of the sick

By Webmaster • January 17, 2026
Mass of the Sick Saturday 14th February 10am Mass Ash Wednesday 18th February more details to follow.

Second Sunday of Ordinary Time - 18th January

By Webmaster • January 17, 2026
The Second Sunday of the Year A, falling on January 18, 2026, is known as the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, featuring readings from Isaiah (calling the Messiah a shoot from Jesse), 1 Corinthians (emphasizing unity in Christ), and John's Gospel (John the Baptist identifying Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world). This Sunday marks a shift after Christmas and Epiphany into the regular flow of Ordinary Time, focusing on discipleship, God's calling, and Jesus's identity as revealed through the Baptist. Key Readings (Year A): ● First Reading : Isaiah 49:1-7 (The Servant Song, foretelling the Messiah's mission). ● Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 40 (A response of praise and commitment). ● Second Reading : 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (Paul's greeting and call to unity). ● Gospel : John 1:29-42 (John the Baptist points to Jesus as the Lamb of God). Themes & Focus: ● The Calling of Disciples : The Gospel highlights Jesus's first disciples (Andrew and another) meeting and following Him. ● Identity of Jesus : The powerful declaration "Behold the Lamb of God" is central, connecting Jesus to sacrifice and redemption. ● Unity in Christ: 1 Corinthians speaks to the diverse people called to be saints, united in Christ. ● Ordinary Time : Moving from festive seasons into regular liturgical focus on Christian life and growth. Context: ● This Sunday often coincides with the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Baptism of the lord

By Webmaster • January 11, 2026
The Baptism of the Lord is observed as a distinct feast in the Roman rite, although it was originally one of three Gospel events marked by the feast of the Epiphany. Long after the visit of the Magi had in the West overshadowed the other elements commemorated in the Epiphany, Pope Pius XII instituted in 1955 a separate liturgical commemoration of the Baptism.  Currently, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is usually celebrated the Sunday after Epiphany. The exception is when Epiphany is observed on January 7th or 8th; this causes the Baptism to be celebrated on the Monday immediately following Epiphany.When celebrated on Sunday, the Baptism is part of Christmas Time,
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