Reflections on the Daily Readings 19th December 2022

Webmaster • December 18, 2022

Monday 19th December


Cherish your roots


Today’s O Antiphon—“O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!”—invites us to meditate on the theme of Jesus’ genealogy and our spiritual ancestry. Jesse was the father of King David, and God told the prophet Nathan that David’s royal family would last forever. Jesus is the enduring branch that grows out of the root of Jesse, the fulfillment of a hope past and present. When we belong to Christ, we belong to the rest of the tree, too—a family that includes God and humanity. Christmas brings people together, biologically related or not—let the longing of this season bond you closer to all in love.


Today's readings: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a; Luke 1:5-25 (195).



Tuesday 20th December


Let’s make some room at the inn


We’re in the middle of two great spiritual traditions that overlap in Advent: The O Antiphons (December 17-23)—recited at vespers for the church’s Liturgy of the Hours—and the celebration of “Las Posadas” (December 16-24), reenacting Joseph and Mary’s search for shelter ahead of Jesus’ birth. Since Las Posadas come from our Latin American brothers and sisters, each year the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops encourages us to work and pray, in intentional ways, for migrants to our country who—like Mary and Joseph—seek safety and basic biblical hospitality. The Key of David is also the key to our hearts. See Justice for Immigrants for more background and suggested actions.


Today's readings: Isaiah 7:10-14; Luke 1:26-38 (196).


Wednesday 21st December


A light of faith from the North Star 


On this day in 1892, Saint Peter Claver Catholic Church was founded in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the first black parish in the state of Minnesota. Founded decades before the Great Migration of southern blacks to northern states, the church was the brainchild of hopeful black Catholics (inspired by Josephite founder John Slattery, S.S.J.) and Archbishop John Ireland, a tireless advocate for black liberation in an era of widespread racism. The new church was named for the famed Jesuit missionary, just a few years after his canonization by Pope Leo XIII, and among its first members was Fredrick McGhee, the first black lawyer in state history. May he and his companions inspire our faith and encourage us to witness for justice in our daily lives!


Today's readings: Song of Songs 2:8-14 or Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Luke 1:39-45 

Thursday 22nd December


Picture this


For Americans, the O Antiphon for today, “O King of All Nations,” might be less than compelling since our incipient nation rebelled against the only king it ever had back in its colonial days. The image of God or Jesus as “king” comes from the prevailing social structures 2,000 years ago. Centuries of church-monarchy unity in Europe and elsewhere kept the tradition going. Contemporary Catholics can understand the power and authority of kingship, but God’s tenderness and mercy can be sidelined by this term, which leads to a good question for any disciple: What is your image of God? What helps you connect with the Divine?


Today's readings: 1 Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:46-56 (198).

Friday 23rd December


Rejoice, rejoice! 


The “O Emmanuel” antiphon heralds the conclusion of Advent. It also conveys a powerful truth about how we experience the divine. Yes, God is awesome and transcendent—and God is the one who draws close to us, takes on our humanity, and is truly Emmanuel, “God with us.” As we prepare to enter into the mystery of the Incarnation, let us take a moment to pray “O Emmanuel” and reflect on how we experience God with us in our day-to-day life. And as a church let us sing together, “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel / Shall come to thee, O Israel.”


Today's readings: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24; Luke 1:57-66 (199).


Saturday 24th December


Forgiveness under the tree 


If you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping by now, you’re toast (at least according to consumer culture). The best you can hope for now is forgiveness. Which is exactly what this day and this night are all about. Zechariah’s Benedictus in today’s gospel (which takes its name from the first words in Latin— Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel”) reflects God’s eternal plan of deliverance: “To give his people knowledge of Salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.” The best present you can give anybody, tonight or ever, is the forgiveness of their sins. Today is the perfect day to give this perfect gift!


Today's readings: Morning: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Luke 1:67-79 (200).

Prayers for the Sick

By Webmaster • February 14, 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), Margaret Loan, Avril McCluskey and all our sick.

Ash Wednesday

By Webmaster • February 14, 2026
Ash Wednesday 18th February What is Ash Wednesday? Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent—and a wonderful opportunity to make yourself 100% available to God! How available to God are you? 50%? 75%? 96.4%? No matter what your answer, Ash Wednesday is the perfect time to decide that you will spend this Lent increasing that number. On Ash Wednesday, you can get your forehead blessed with ashes at Mass or a prayer service. These ashes are a reminder that we need to repent. Repentance is a powerful invitation. When John the Baptist first appeared in the desert of Judea, this was his message: “Repent, prepare the way of the Lord” (Matthew 3:2). Later, when Jesus began his ministry, he led with this message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). But what does it mean for us to repent, here and now, more than two thousand years later? It means the same as it did to the people walking around the dusty pathways in their sandals, trying to inch closer to Jesus as he passed through their town or village. Repent means “to turn back to God.” We all find ourselves needing to turn back to God many times a day, in ways small and large. It is not a matter of guilt and it is not a shameful thing. It is simply that we are a better version of ourselves when we return to his side!  Ash Wednesday Mass Times 18th February: Masses 7am, 10am & 6pm

This week's readings

By Webmaster • February 14, 2026
The Sermon on the Mount continues as the focus of the Gospel readings during Winter Ordinary Time, and today’s passage from Matthew chapter 5 contains some of the most challenging verses in the Gospel. Before turning to that teaching, however, let’s consider the other readings. The First Reading comes from the Book of Sirach, also known by its Latin title Ecclesiasticus, or “Church Book,” so called because the early Church made extensive use of this wisdom text in moral instruction for catechumens and the faithful. Sirach reflects powerfully on moral freedom: If you choose, you can keep the commandments; they will save you. Before you are life and death, good and evil; whichever you choose shall be given you. Freedom of the will is one of God’s greatest gifts. God places before us the choice between good and evil and invites us to choose life. What is equally clear is that God does not choose sin or injustice on our behalf. The responsibility for our moral choices rests with us. The Second Reading continues from Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. Writing to a Christian community surrounded by moral confusion, Paul reminds them that true wisdom does not come from the world, but from God: What eye has not seen and ear has not heard… what God has prepared for those who love him, God has revealed through the Spirit.  This reading complements Sirach beautifully. If the First Reading emphasizes our freedom to choose, the Second reminds us that God does not leave us unassisted. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit, God prepares us to live according to divine wisdom rather than worldly standards. Together, these readings lead us into today’s Gospel. Jesus makes it clear that he has not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. He then calls his disciples to a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees – not through legal technicalities, but through holiness of heart. Jesus’ striking examples – equating anger with murder and lust with adultery – may sound harsh to modern ears. Yet Matthew presents these teachings to a Jewish Christian community still shaped by strict legal interpretation. Jesus’ strong language is meant to awaken his listeners to the truth that holiness requires more than outward observance. It calls for an interior conversion, where the heart itself is transformed by God’s grace.

Prayers for the recently dead, months, mind and Anniversaries

By Webmaster • February 14, 2026
Our Recently Dead Thomas Gallacher, Frank Cook, John Harkins, Bridie McKechnie, Mary Irvine, Frances Drummond, Mary McCrudden, Paul McGoldrick, Kevin McMahon, Christine Divers (Glasgow), Ellen Thomson (Glasgow), Eugene McVay, Catherine Chrighton (Holytown), James Neary, Campbell McFall (St. Ninian's), John Monaghan, John Collin Month Minds & Anniversaries John Corns, James, Ruby & Mary McDaide, Elizabeth & Stuart Johnston, Margaret Fox, Laraine Fox, Christine Archibald, Ann Rodgers, Hugh Rodgers, Giovanni Battiste Fionda, Marie Carmen Fionda, Johny D'Ambrosio, Margaret D'Ambrosio 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

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.

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.
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