Reflections on the Daily Readings 18th October 2021

Webmaster • October 16, 2021

Monday 18th October


FEAST OF LUKE, EVANGELIST

First in line for Marian devotion


As the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, Luke the Evangelist penned over a quarter of the New Testament—more than anyone else. The Virgin Mary has a special place in his gospel—it is only here that we find the story of the Annunciation, her visit to Elizabeth, the Presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple, and the finding of the child Jesus preaching in the temple. In art, Luke is sometimes depicted painting images of Mary (and he is the patron saint of painters). Revisit the richness of what we know about Mary thanks to Luke by giving his gospel another good read.


Today's readings: 2 Timothy 4:10-17b; Luke 10:1-9 (661).

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”



Tuesday 19th October


MEMORIAL OF JOHN DE BRÉBEUF AND ISAAC JOGUES, PRIESTS, AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS

Learn the language of God’s love


In 1642, Jesuit missionary John de Brébeuf penned “The Huron Carol.” Drawing from the experience of indigenous Americans, it lauds a babe born into modest means— wrapped in a “ragged robe of rabbit skin.” Instead of shepherds and Magi, Native American hunters and chiefs arrive to pay homage to “Jesus, your King.” While the famous Canadian carol comes under some cultural scrutiny in modern times, it also gets credit for preserving the Huron/Wendat language it was written in. Mostly, it reminds us to speak other people’s languages—figuratively, if not literally—when sharing the Good News.


Today's readings: Romans 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21; Luke 12:35-38 (474).

“Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more.”



Wednesday 20th October


MEMORIAL OF PAUL OF THE CROSS, PRIEST

Need some passion in your life?


“Passion” is a fiery word with various meanings, from an intense love relationship to an activity that we give our all to. Christians also have a unique understanding of “passion” as the suffering and death of Jesus. Saint Paul of the Cross was so fired up by this that he founded a religious community dedicated to the Passion of Jesus. But wait a minute, how did we get from intense love to suffering? Paul makes the connection for us—the Passion is about Jesus’ great love, a love so great that he was willing to suffer and die for us. Take a moment to reflect anew what you live—or would die—passionately for.


Today's readings: Romans 6:12-18; Luke 12:39-48 (475).

“But thanks be to God that . . . you have become obedient from the heart.”


Thursday 21st October


God at work


Summer vacations are now a faded memory as workplaces and schools operate at full swing. The Catholic Church has a rich tradition of seeing work as more than a necessity and duty. Through work we transform nature—a creative act, just as God’s ongoing creation of the world is a creative act. A job that contributes to well-being can also be a path toward personal fulfillment. Whatever your work involves today, offer it up to God and take note of how God is able to work through you.


Today's readings: Romans 6:19-23; Luke 12:49-53 (476).

“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!


Friday 22nd October


MEMORIAL OF JOHN PAUL II, POPE

Reasonable faith


In this era of “alternative facts,” it is challenging to find the truth. Saint John Paul II gave us good counsel on seeking truth. In the encyclical letter Fides et Ratio (“Faith and Reason”) he wrote, “. . . believers do not surrender. They can continue on their way to the truth because they are certain that God has created them ‘explorers,’ whose mission it is to leave no stone unturned, though the temptation to doubt is always there. Leaning on God, they continue to reach out, always and everywhere, for all that is beautiful, good and true.” How might you be an “explorer” in situations where truth is difficult to find?


Today's readings: Romans 7:18-25a; Luke 12:54-59 (477).

“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?”



Saturday 23rd October


MEMORIAL OF JOHN OF CAPISTRANO, PRIEST

You get as good as you give


Jesus, his disciples, and the early evangelists were all clear about one thing: “the wages of sin is death.” Beyond physical death, the selfishness of sin cuts off our relationship with God and the opportunity for true peace and joy. Paying attention to the needs of others as well as yourself keeps us alive in Christ. Study after study shows that happiness comes from social connectedness and a spirit of generosity. Franciscan Saint John Capistrano says of the faithful: “The brightness of their wisdom must make them like the light of the world that brings light to others.” Ponder the ways that you can acquire wisdom to share with others.


Today's readings: Romans 8:1-11; Luke 13:1-9 (478).

“The concern of the flesh is death, but the concern of the spirit is life and peace.”

This Sunday's readings - Sunday 9th August

By Webmaster • August 8, 2026
First Reading 1 Kings 19:9a,11-13a The Lord appears to Elijah in a whisper. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 85:9-14 The Lord is the source of salvation. Second Reading Romans 9:1-5 Paul speaks of the blessings that have come to the Israelites. Gospel Reading Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus walks on water, and the disciples acknowledge him as the Son of God.  Background on the Gospel Reading Today’s Gospel directly follows last week’s account of Jesus feeding a crowd of more than 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. For the sake of the crowds, Jesus had postponed his time of solitude. Now, at last, Jesus finds some time for quiet and prayer. He sends his disciples ahead of him by boat, dismisses the crowds, and then withdraws to the mountain to pray. The disciples do not fare well. They struggle to weather the wind and waves, making little progress in their journey. We are reminded of a previous story in Chapter 8 of Matthew’s Gospel, when Jesus calms the seas. This time, however, Jesus does not calm the seas, and the disciples do not express fear until they see Jesus walking toward them on the water. In this story it is not the storm that is feared but the sight of Jesus before them, whom they mistake for a ghost. Clues like these suggest that this story is about the disciples’ growing understanding of the identity of Jesus. In continuity with last week’s Gospel about the feeding of the multitude, today’s Gospel is also about what the disciples’ faith in Jesus will enable them to do. In last week’s Gospel, when the disciples see the crowds, they ask Jesus to send the crowds away. Jesus turns the situation around, telling the disciples to feed the crowd with the provisions that they have. Both of these Gospels tell us much about ministry. Jesus calls to the disciples and calms their fears. He is not a ghost. The impulsive Peter seeks proof that the person is indeed Jesus. He asks Jesus to call him out onto the water, and Jesus grants this request. Peter’s fear and doubt overtake him, however, once he is walking on the water. Jesus reaches out to Peter and saves him. When Jesus and Peter enter the boat, Matthew reports that the wind ceases, and the disciples confess that Jesus is the Son of God. Faith in Jesus will enable the disciples to do the work that Jesus has done. Peter walks on water. The five loaves and two fish feed a multitude of people. The disciples can and will participate in the work of the kingdom of heaven. When Peter fears and doubts the person of Jesus, however, he falters. Peter’s example teaches us that true Christian ministry emerges from the faith that Jesus is the Messiah, God’s only Son.

This Sunday's readings - Sunday 2nd August

By Webmaster • August 1, 2026
First Reading Isaiah 55:1-3 The Lord will renew his covenant with the descendents of David. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 145:8-9,15-18 The Lord provides for his people. Second Reading Romans 8:35,37-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Gospel Reading Matthew 14:13-21 Jesus feeds the crowd with five loaves and two fish. Background on the Gospel Reading Today we jump ahead in our reading of Matthew's Gospel to Chapter 14. Last week we heard Jesus conclude his discourse with the crowds about the Kingdom of Heaven. In Matthew's narrative, Jesus then leaves the crowds and returns to Nazareth, where he is rejected. Matthew then recounts the story of John the Baptist's arrest and execution at the hands of Herod. Today's Gospel reading begins at this point. Upon hearing the news of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus seeks to withdraw, but the crowds follow him. Jesus reaches out to them in compassion and heals the sick. At the end of a long day, the disciples encourage Jesus to send the crowds away so that they might find provisions for themselves. Jesus again responds with compassion for the crowd. Jesus tells his disciples to provide food for the crowd. The disciples reply with a report of the meagerness of their own provisions—five loaves and two fish. The result is the very familiar miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. Matthew's Gospel tells us that 5,000 men were fed, and this number does not even include the women and children. Jesus' blessing brought abundance from the meager provisions of the disciples. In this action, Jesus offers us a sign of the Kingdom of Heaven that he has been teaching about in the parables. A feast results from the smallest of portions—remember the mustard seed and the yeast. In this miracle we witness an example for Christian life and ministry. Even the smallest of offerings can produce abundant results when placed in the service of the Kingdom of Heaven. We find the story of Jesus' multiplication of the loaves and the fish in each of the four Gospels. In the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, Jesus performs this same miracle on two separate occasions. The story of this miracle is an anticipation of the Eucharist in which we are fed by the abundant grace of God. The importance of the Eucharist has been a defining element of Christian life from the very beginning.

Prayers for the Sick

By Webmaster • July 17, 2026
Please pray for Our Sick : Margaret Callaghan Doreen Cleary, 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), Margaret Loan, Avril McCluskey, Carol Corr, Thomas Kennedy, David Borland, Margaret Park, and all our sick. .

Fr. Frank holiday

By Webmaster • July 17, 2026
Just to let you know I am going on holiday on Tuesday. I will be back on Saturday 8th August for the 10am Mass. The Holy Ghost Fathers are looking after the parish from Tuesday 21st to 27th and Fr. Brown will take over from 28th to 7th August. The next Bulletin will be Thursday 13th August.

This Sunday's readings - Sunday 26th July

By Webmaster • July 17, 2026
First Reading 1 Kings 3:5,7-12 Solomon pleases God when he asks for a wise and understanding heart to better govern the people. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 119:57,72,76-77,127-130 The law of the Lord is more precious than silver and gold. Second Reading Romans 8:28-30 God chose us to be conformed to the image of his Son. Gospel Reading Matthew 13:44-52 (shorter form: Matthew 13:44-46) Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of Heaven.  Background on the Gospel Reading Today’s Gospel concludes three weeks of readings from the 13th Chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. Throughout these three weeks we have heard Jesus teaching crowds about the kingdom of heaven, and we have heard Jesus interpret some of his teachings for the disciples. In this week’s Gospel, Jesus offers three more short parables. The first two parables describe the great value of the kingdom of heaven. In the first parable, Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is like a buried treasure that is worth possessing even if it means giving up everything else. In the second parable, Jesus proposes that the kingdom of heaven is like a pearl of great worth for which one will sell everything else to possess. These parables teach us that we are to place everything we value in the service of the pursuit of the Kingdom of God. The third parable that Jesus proposes in today’s Gospel is different from the first two, but it is reminiscent of the parable of the sower heard in last week’s Gospel. The kingdom of heaven is compared to fishing with a wide net. After the fish have been collected, the good fish are kept and the bad fish are thrown away; so too, in the final judgment, will the wicked and the righteous be separated. Today’s Gospel concludes with a curious statement about the scribe who understands the kingdom of heaven. Here a metaphor is offered: this scribe is like the head of a household who “brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” The scribes referred to here are experts of Mosaic law. It is possible that Jesus is here instructing the early Christian community on how to proceed in the interpretation of Jewish law with respect to Jesus’ “new” teaching. Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom of heaven does not replace the Jewish tradition; it interprets it in a different light.

This Sunday's readings - Sunday 19th July

By Webmaster • July 17, 2026
First Reading Wisdom 12:13,16-19 God has shown himself to be a God of justice and mercy. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 86:5-6,9-10,15-16 A prayer to God for mercy. Second Reading Romans 8:26-27 The Spirit intercedes for us with God. Gospel Reading Matthew 13:24-43 (shorter form: Matthew 13:24-30) Jesus offers parables about the Kingdom of Heaven and explains them to his disciples.  Background on the Gospel Reading In today’s Gospel, Jesus offers three parables to describe the Kingdom of Heaven. He also explains why he speaks to the crowds in parables and interprets the parable of the sower for the disciples. This reading is a continuation of Jesus’ discourse that we began reading last Sunday. All three parables use commonplace experiences to describe aspects of the Kingdom of Heaven. The first parable is longer and more detailed than the next two, and it alerts us to the two-fold reality of the Kingdom of Heaven. The beginnings of the Kingdom of Heaven can be found in this world. The fruition of the Kingdom of Heaven, however, will not be realized until the final judgment. In the meantime, as Jesus’ explanation to the disciples cautions, any effort to judge the progress of the Kingdom of Heaven is premature. Only God, in the final judgment, will distinguish the fruit of the Kingdom of Heaven and offer its reward. The second and third parables call to our attention the abundance that will result from the small beginnings of the Kingdom of Heaven. Just as a mustard seed—the smallest of all seeds—will become a large bush, so too God will bring his Kingdom to full bloom. As a small amount of yeast will leaven the entire batch of bread, so too God will bring about the expansion of his Kingdom. In each case the image is of the superabundance that God brings out of even the smallest of signs of the Kingdom. Contained within these parables are words of caution as well as words of consolation. In the parable of the sower we are warned against judging others. To judge and uproot the “weeds” prematurely will harm the wheat; final judgment rests with God. In the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast, we are consoled by the message that God can work wonders and produce abundance from even the smallest beginnings of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Prayers for the recently dead, months, mind and Anniversaries

By Webmaster • July 17, 2026
Our Recently Dead Ruth Leabody, Mary Coyle, Bobby Frew, Jim Kennedy (Strathaven), John McKenzie Month Minds & Anniversaries Ann & Hugh Rodgers, Pat Dougan, John Smith, William Smith, Peter McGarry, Raymond Findlater 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

Gift Aid

By Webmaster • July 11, 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 Sunday's readings - Sunday 12th July

By Webmaster • July 11, 2026
First Reading Isaiah 55:10-11 The Word of the Lord shall achieve its purpose. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 65:10-14 A prayer of praise to God for his abundance. Second Reading Romans 8:18-23 Together with all of creation, we await God’s redemption. Gospel Reading Matthew 13:1-23 (shorter form: Matthew 13:1-9) Jesus teaches that the kingdom of heaven is like seed that has been sown on good soil.  Background on the Gospel Reading Today’s Gospel marks the beginning of the third long discourse given by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. Over the next few weeks, the Gospel readings will consist of the entire 13th Chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, a lengthy teaching discourse. Throughout this discourse, Jesus will offer several parables to illustrate for his listeners what he means by the kingdom of heaven. He begins with the parable of the sower, which appears rather straightforward—of course seeds grow best in good soil. Seeds that miss the soil, are sown on rocky ground, or are sown among other plants will not grow. The surprise in the parable is the enormous yield of the seed that is sown on good soil. Jesus then explains his use of parables. Jesus seems to suggest that he uses parables to teach because the meanings of parables are not self-evident. The hearer must engage in some degree of reflection in order to comprehend the message of a parable. In this way, the medium—the parable—models the point of the parable of the sower. Those who are willing to engage themselves in the effort to understand will be rewarded by the discovery of the message and will bear fruit. To bring home the point, Jesus interprets the parable of the sower to his disciples. The different types of soil in which the seeds are sown are metaphors for the disposition with which each individual hears the teaching about the kingdom of heaven. Some will be easily swayed away from the kingdom of heaven. Some will receive it for a time but will lose it when faced with difficulties. Some will hear the word but will then permit other cares to choke it out. Yet some will receive it well, and the seed will produce abundant fruit.

Powerpoint Remote Control:

By Webmaster • July 11, 2026
I am also 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.
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