Reflections on the Daily Readings 13th December 2021

Webmaster • December 11, 2021

Monday 13th December


Memorial Of Lucy, Martyr

I can see clearly now


In these darkening days of December, the Scandinavian festival of light held on Saint Lucy’s feast day is a cheerful sight to brighten spirits. In these countries—and wherever Scandinavians are found—girls dress as Lucy in long white gowns with wreaths of candles on their heads, carrying sweets in procession as songs are sung. Similar practices can be found in Italy and Croatia. Whether you belong to those ethnicities or not, why not incorporate the festival into your family holiday traditions? Saint Lucy is the patron and protector of eyesight—ask her to help you focus yours, to see more clearly the coming of the radiant king.


Today's readings: Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a; Matthew 21:23-27

“By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?”



Tuesday 14th December


Memorial Of John Of The Cross, Priest, Doctor Of The Church

Carried by love


Saint John of the Cross was named a doctor of the church for his profound, poetic writings on Christian mysticism. As a spiritual phenomenon, mysticism is difficult to explain. Central ideas, though, connect love and suffering. Today, pause to remember the tragic school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary and contemplate this meditation by John and remember to love: “I saw the river over which every soul must pass to reach the kingdom of heaven, and the name of that river was suffering. And I saw a boat which carries souls across the river, and the name of that boat was love.”


Today's readings: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13; Matthew 21:28-32 (188).

“Then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts, and you shall no longer exalt yourself.”



Wednesday 15th December


Advent Weekday

Jesus, our justice and our peace


The coming of Jesus into the world was ultimately the coming of true justice and peace. In today’s psalm, these two virtues are said to have “kissed” when the Messiah arrived on Earth. What an incredible image! Every promise of God finds its yes in the One who frees us from sin and death. In the gospel reading, Jesus proves by his miraculous love that he is the long-hoped-for Messiah. Today, remember that as we anticipate Christmas, the fulfillment of all our hopes and dreams is the justice and peace of Jesus. Perhaps not what we expected, but what we need!


Today's readings: Isaiah 45:6c-8, 18, 21c-25; Luke 7:18b-23

“Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.”



Thursday 16th December


Advent Weekday

Differently blessed


Today’s first reading refers to an idea repeated many times in the Bible: that children are a blessing from God. Catholic teaching on situations where bearing children is not possible is not the inverse, however. The church has never taught that infertility or any other limitation is a punishment or “curse” from God. To the contrary, Catholic tradition emphasizes that persons in every situation or condition deserve our full attention, respect, and caring concern. How can you practice empathy toward those whose family life has taken a less common direction?


Today's readings: Isaiah 54:1-10; Luke 7:24-30 (190).

“Among those born of women, no one is greater than John; yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.”


Friday 17th December


Advent Weekday

(O Wisdom) Make the wise choice


Today the church begins to sing the O Antiphons to accompany the Advent evening prayer of Mary’s Magnificat. These short, sung phrases remind us of our need for salvation and our desire to embody the divine characteristics of our Savior. Today we pray for knowledge. This is not the knowledge that wins arguments around the dinner table, but the knowledge that shines a light on who we are, where we came from, and what we are called to do. It is the knowledge that comes with discernment and brings us peace. May wisdom be our teacher.


Today's readings: Genesis 49:2, 8-10; Matthew 1:1-17

"O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!”



Saturday 18th December


Advent Weekday

(O Sacred Lord) Walk each other home


The theme for this year’s International Migrants Day is “Reimagining Human Mobility.” U.N. SecretaryGeneral António Guterres calls upon citizens of the world to “seize the opportunity of the recovery from the pandemic to implement safe, orderly, and regular migration and enable migrants to build more inclusive and resilient societies.” Today’s O Antiphon recalls the migration of Israel from Egypt to Palestine and asks God to guide the movement of peoples. Because we all can trace our ancestry back to migrating people at one time or another, it is appropriate today to pray for people on the move seeking new homes and new lives in new lands.


Today's readings: Jeremiah 23:5-8; Matthew 1:18-25

“And they shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

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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