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 • June 27, 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, and all our sick .

Sacramental Dates 2027

By Webmaster • June 27, 2026
Confirmation: St. Peter's & St. Mark's Monday 22nd February 2027 7pm Mass First Confession: St. Peter's Monday March 15th 2027 6.30pm St. Mark's Tuesday March 16th 2027 6.30pm First Communion: St. Peter's Saturday May 8th 2027 10am Mass St. Mark's Saturday May 15th 2027 10am Mass

This Sunday's readings - Sunday 28th June

By Webmaster • June 27, 2026
First Reading Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11 Now I know it is indeed true: the Lord has saved me from the power of Herod. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 34:2-9 The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him. Second Reading 2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18 All that remains now is the crown of righteousness. Gospel Reading Matthew 16:13-19 You are Peter; and I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven. Background on the Gospel Reading Mark places this incident at Caesarea Philippi. Luke, because of the importance he wishes to give to prayer in his Gospel, places it in the context of Jesus praying. But Matthew keeps it at Caesarea Philippi. In today's Gospel, Jesus asks the disciples for a “field report” by asking what people are saying about him. He refers to himself as the Son of Man, a term derived from the Jewish Scriptures, found in the book of Daniel and in other apocryphal writings. Many scholars suggest that “Son of Man” is best understood to mean “human being.” As Jesus turns the question directly to the disciples and asks what they believe, Peter speaks for all of them when he announces that they believe Jesus to be the Christ. “Christ” is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for “messiah,” which means “the anointed one.” At the time of Jesus, the image of the “messiah” was laden with popular expectations, most of which looked for a political leader who would free the Jewish people from Roman occupation. Because Jesus has referred to himself a number of times in Matthew by Christological titles this moment is not the revelation of who Jesus is as in Mark. Instead it marks an important moment in the development of the Church. Jesus uses this occasion to bless Peter, who represents all the disciples but also has a unique role to play in the founding of the new community. Peter is blessed not because of a personal insight but because God revealed to him who Jesus is. Peter is the rock on which Jesus will build the Church.

Prayers for the recently dead, months, mind and Anniversaries

By Webmaster • June 27, 2026
Our Recently Dead John Holton, Baby Koa McKendrick, Hamish McGregor, Pat Dougan, John Feeney Month Minds & Anniversaries Hugh Burns, James, Ruby & Mary McDaide, Jim Carter, Archie Findlater, Eric Findlater, Tracey Archibald 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

This week's readings - Sunday 21st June

By Webmaster • June 19, 2026
First Reading Jeremiah 20:10-13 Jeremiah expresses confidence that the Lord will protect him. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 69:8-10,14,17,33-35 God responds to the prayers of those in need. Second Reading Romans 5:12-15 Sin came into the world through one person; so salvation came through one person for many. Gospel Reading Matthew 10:26-33 Jesus assures the Twelve that God cares about them. Background on the Gospel Reading We read today’s Gospel in the context of last week’s Gospel in which Jesus sent the twelve disciples to proclaim the kingdom of heaven. In between last week’s reading and today’s reading, Jesus has predicted that the disciples will face difficulties in their mission. Many people will not receive them well, even within the land of Israel. Even family members will turn away from the disciples because of the disciples’ commitment to Jesus and the kingdom. Today’s Gospel offers the disciples consolation against this difficult truth. This section of Matthew’s Gospel should be read in the context of Matthew’s intended audience, a Jewish-Christian community. The Gospel alludes to the dangers and persecutions that this community has most likely already faced and will continue to face. To reassure this community, Matthew recalls for them the encouraging words of Jesus that we read today. In this Gospel passage, Jesus might be understood as putting suffering in perspective. The disciples of Jesus are called upon to keep their focus on God. Those who can harm the body do not have ultimate power; God does. Still persecution and suffering can not be avoided or prevented. But Jesus reassures his disciples that God knows and cares about what happens to his children.  We might not face the same type of persecution, but we do experience difficulties as we endeavor to live a Christian life. Sometimes we let the opinions of others prevent us from doing what we know to be right. We need the reminder that what God thinks about us is more important. We are reassured by the promise that God cares for us and protects us.

Donations please

By Webmaster • June 19, 2026
A parishioner Cara Quigley is volunteering in a Catholic School in Kenya. She is looking for donations of the following: 1. Story books. 2. Flash cards (Alphabet, Numbers & Shapes). 3. White Board Pens. 4. Educational Toys (Building Blocks etc). 5. Sensory Materials. 6. Pencils (Normal & Coloured). 7. Crayons. 8. Skipping Ropes. She leaves on the 18th July 2026 Last pick up date is Sunday 12th July 2026

Confirmation

By Webmaster • June 12, 2026
Confirmation 2026 St. Peter's & St. Mark's 18th June 2026 7pm Bishop Toal

Gift Aid

By Webmaster • June 12, 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 - Sunday 14th June

By Webmaster • June 12, 2026
First Reading Exodus 19:2-6a God tells Moses that the Israelites will be his special people. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 100:1-3,5 We are the people of God. Second Reading Romans 5:6-11 Christ died for us while we were still sinners and reconciled us to God. Gospel Reading Matthew 9:36-10:8 Jesus sends the twelve apostles to proclaim the kingdom of heaven. Background on the Gospel Reading In today's Gospel, Jesus shares his mission to proclaim the kingdom of heaven with his disciples. The signs of the kingdom's presence consist of the work that Jesus has already been doing: the sick are cured, lepers are cleansed, demons are driven out, and the dead are raised to life. The disciples are sent to continue doing the work that Jesus has begun. This is a moment of transition in Matthew's Gospel. The focus has shifted from the ministry of Jesus to the work of the community that he has inaugurated. More than any other Gospel, Matthew's Gospel elaborates on the work of the Church, which is to continue after Jesus' death and resurrection. The Gospel reports that Jesus commissions twelve disciples. Many scholars believe that the twelve disciples symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel. It designates, therefore, continuity between Israel and the Church. Matthew lists the names of the twelve disciples, as do Mark and Luke. Matthew also uses the word apostlewhen referring to the Twelve. The word apostlemeans “one who is sent.” In this context, Matthew is calling attention to the mission that the twelve disciples are being given. They are sent by Jesus to proclaim the kingdom of heaven in word and deed.  As Jesus sent his disciples to continue his work and mission, so too the Church is sent by Jesus. The Church is his continuing presence on earth. Every member of the Church is sent by Jesus to contribute to this mission.

Leavers masses

By Webmaster • June 12, 2026
P7 Leavers Masses St. Peter's 17th June St. Mark's 19th June
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