Reflections on the Daily Readings 21st November 2022

Webmaster • November 19, 2022

Monday 21st November


Ready for the ride of your life? 


Just as Catholics celebrate the conception, birth, and presentation in the temple of Jesus, we celebrate the same events in the life of Mary. God’s plans (for all of us) begin and unfold before anyone’s understanding of them. The story of Mary’s presentation in the temple comes from a non-biblical text that says Mary’s parents consecrated her to God at a very young age. With her Immaculate Conception, God set her on the path to a pivotal role in salvation history, but it required dedication and preparation nonetheless—culminating in her immortal “yes” at the Annunciation. Life hands us circumstances, and sometimes decisions are made that are beyond our control—have you considered how those might shape your purpose? Commit to following where the Spirit might lead you.


MEMORIAL OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY


Today's readings: Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5; Luke 21:1-4 (503).



Tuesday 22nd November


Speak up


Once Saint Paul’s letters were collected in the third century, he got heat from Christians for “Wives, be submissive to your husbands”—adding that neither should they speak in church. For the third century also saw the martyrdom of Saint Cecilia. Paul’s critics pointed out that Cecilia’s eloquent words persuaded her husband and led him (and others) to convert. As for not speaking in church? It was Cecilia who allowed an underground church to worship in her home. Cecilia’s story is told in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, recounted by a nun who praises her for evangelizing with both words and example. Men and women of faith, glorify God today with your own words and example!


MEMORIAL OF CECILIA, MARTYR


Today's readings: Revelation 14:14-19; Luke 21:5-11 (504).


Wednesday 23rd November


We owe You


We naturally think of Saint Paul when we think of letters written to the early Christians in Corinth, but Saint Clement I—a disciple of the apostles and later a pope—had occasion to write to the Corinthian church as well. From one of those letters comes advice that’s fitting for Americans celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow: “If you are wise, then display your wisdom by good deeds; and if you are modest, let others speak of your modesty instead of proclaiming the fact yourself. To God we owe everything, and therefore on every count we are under obligation to thank him.”


MEMORIAL OF CLEMENT I, POPE, MARTYR


Today's readings: Revelation 15:1-4; Luke 21:12-19 (505).


Thursday 24th November


Saved in the cloud 


Thanksgiving is a time to recall the blessings in our lives. Most who are reading these words can give thanks to God for the freedom to worship, something absent for the saints and martyrs memorialized on this date. Today’s memorial is unusual in that it honors 117 Vietnamese martyrs, the “companions” of Father Andrew Dũng-Lạc. In fact, those 117 actually represent the 100,000 to 300,000 Vietnamese Christians killed or severely persecuted for their faith between the 17th and 19th centuries. May your actions of gratitude today give honor to this “cloud of witnesses.”


MEMORIAL OF ANDREW DŨNG-LẠC, PRIEST, AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS


Today's readings: Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a; Luke 21:20-28 (506).

Friday 25th November


Called to speak out 


The early church was a place of great religious fervor and danger. Prior to 313 Christianity was outlawed, and many adherents were put to death. This was the age of the martyrs, including Catherine of Alexandria. Catherine was well educated and known for her keen intellect. As she grew in the faith, she became an outspoken critic of the dominant religion of the Roman empire. Though given many unconscionable “outs” to avoid death, Catherine held firmly to her beliefs and continued to speak out. What compels you to speak out, even when it costs you?


MEMORIAL OF CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA, MARTYR


Today's readings: Revelation 20:1-4, 11—21:2; Luke 21:29-33 (507).


Saturday 26th November


The last day


It’s the last day of the year—the liturgical year, that is. Tomorrow is the beginning of a new liturgical year, a new cycle of readings, and a new season of joyful hope. Good thing, because the readings for the past few weeks, like today’s, have been words of warning and apprehension regarding the “eschaton,” which means the end of the world. It all sounds terrifying, but it is good news, for however you prefer to interpret it, literally or figuratively, unless this world passes away in some way, the kingdom Jesus preached isn’t fully realized. Pray God’s kingdom come!


Today's readings: Revelation 22:1-7; Luke 21:34-36 (508). “Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations.”

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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