Reflections on the Daily Readings 20th December 2021

Webmaster • December 18, 2021

Monday 20th December


Advent Weekday (O Key Of David) He’s on his way


Today’s Great Antiphon—the fourth of seven ancient prayers said during Advent vespers leading up to Christmas Eve—is “O Key of David, come and free us!” Each Antiphon is a call to Christ using a messianic title from prophecy, and today’s reminds us that we are captives liberated by God’s grace. The answer to our cries is embedded in the titles themselves. The seven titles in Latin—Sapientia, Adonai, Radix Jesse, Clavis David, Oriens, Rex Gentium, and Emmanuel—in reverse order form the acrostic ERO CRAS, which means “I am coming soon.”


Today's readings: Isaiah 7:10-14; Luke 1:26-38

“The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever.”



Tuesday 21st December


Memorial Of Peter Canisius, Priest, Doctor Of The Church (O Radiant Dawn) Let the light shine


The Protestant Reformation was an age of strife and contestation, especially in Germany, ground zero of the upheaval in 1517. Into the morass stepped a learned Jesuit scholar, amazing preacher, and gifted writer— Peter Canisius, whose rational arguments in support of Catholicism proved quite persuasive. Peter’s three written catechisms were so effective, German-born Pope Benedict XVI told a papal audience in 2011, that later generations of Germans simply referred to them as “the Canisius.” On what’s the longest night of the year for many, tap the faith of Peter Canisius to reflect upon the ways that Jesus is our Radiant Dawn.


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

“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”



Wednesday 22nd December


Advent Weekday (O King Of All Nations) God of surprises


God acts in ways we least expect. The long-awaited Messiah was expected to be a military leader who would lead his people, Israel, to victory and out of oppression. Instead, he was born in a stable to a young woman of the village and a carpenter who would be his foster father. Today that young woman makes a bold proclamation, “He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.” As we come closer to Christmas, ask God to help you look for him in the unexpected so that he might refashion you. After all, history is full of unexpected saints—why not you?


Today's readings: 1 Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:46-56

“[God] has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed.”


Thursday 23rd December


Advent Weekday (O Emmanuel) Hear our plea


What is more poignant than an expression of heartfelt longing? Today anyone taking part in the longstanding tradition of Evening Prayer, or vespers, sings, “O Emmanuel, come to redeem us!” It’s a plea of yearning. For centuries on this day near Christmas, Catholics have opened their hearts and prayed for a savior. Let this vulnerable prayer of hope and desire for all that Christmas represents—light, life, salvation—be a kind of mantra as you go about your day.


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

“When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son.”


Friday 24th December


Advent Weekday Thanksgiving on Christmas Eve


For many Catholics, Christmas Eve is brimming with meal preparation, cleaning, wrapping last-minute stocking stuffers, and Midnight Mass. It can also be a difficult day for those missing loved ones. In whatever situation you find yourself, take a moment and join the church in praying the Canticle of Zechariah, also known as the Benedictus. As he awaited the birth of his son John (later known as the Baptist), Zechariah sang a canticle of gratitude to God for setting us free from all that binds. May this prayer bring freedom and joy to us all!


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

“In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness.”



Saturday 25th December


Solemnity Of The Nativity Of The Lord (Christmas) The weary world rejoices


The efforts of people of goodwill everywhere in the quest for peace and justice continue, and our leader is born anew today! Spiritual author and priest Henri Nouwen put it well: “The world is not whole. . . . But it is into this broken world that a child is born, who is called Son of the Most High, Prince of Peace, Savior. I look at him and pray, ‘Thank you, Lord, that you came. . . . Your heart is greater than mine.’” Our hope and our hearts increase today. Rejoice!


Today's readings: Night: Isaiah 9:1-6; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 Day: Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18 (16).

“And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among 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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