Reflections on the Daily Readings 22nd November 2021

Webmaster • November 20, 2021

Monday 22nd November


Memorial Of Cecilia, Martyr

Sing out your life


Saint Cecilia is the patron of music and musicians—because as she was wed against her wishes to a nobleman of no particular faith, she sang in her heart to God. (Her husband ended up becoming Christian and both were martyred by the Romans.) Her patronage of music has created an immense legacy as musical institutions all over the world are named after her, and concerts and festivals are held today on her feast day—all because of a sweet, simple, silent song of fidelity to the Lord. You may not be blessed with musical talent, but God loves to hear your heart-song nonetheless.


Today's readings: Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20; Luke 21:1-4

“I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest.”



Tuesday 23rd November


Memorial Of Columban, Abbot

Take the gospel everywhere


After years of studying scripture in an Irish monastery, Saint Columban sought permission at age 40 to depart for Europe with a boatload of companions. Their mission: to preach the gospel everywhere they went, proclaiming Christ after barbarian invasions collapsed the Western Roman Empire. Pray some of Columban’s eloquent words to begin your day: “Lord, may everything we do this day begin with your blessing and continue with your help. May everything we say this day begin with your love and continue with your grace. May everything we plan this day begin with your inspiration and continue with your peace.”


Today's readings: Daniel 2:31-45; Luke 21:5-1

“The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed.”



Wednesday 24th November


Memorial Of Andrew Dũng-Lạc, Priest, And Companions, Martyrs

Make me an instrument of your peace


The Catholic church has a long and complex history in Vietnam, going back to the first European missionaries in the 15th century. Over the centuries, church-state intrigue and foreign colonial interests competed with genuine pastoral work, and Catholic missionaries often were caught in the crossfire. The martyrs remembered today suffered during a particularly difficult period when Catholic families were broken apart and some were branded on the forehead with the Vietnamese words for “ false religion.” Church-state relations have gradually improved in recent decades as wounds from the past heal. May we all learn the lessons history offers, so that our witness may be a reconciling one.


Today's readings: Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28; Luke 21:12-1

“I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute."


Thursday 25th November


Memorial Of Catherine Of Alexandria, Martyr;

Attitude of gratitude


Truth will out. As we give thanks this day for blessings in our lives, let’s treasure the gift of faith, of truth. Little is known of the life of Catherine of Alexandria, whose memorial is today—perhaps not surprising given she was born quite early in Christian history, around 287. Nonetheless, the legends surrounding this early saint demonstrate her persistence in sharing the truth of her faith in Christ. Roman authorities expended great energy in killing those she converted and finally in killing her, but her truth, the Christian gospel, still shines brightly. Let’s give thanks for it.


Today's readings: Daniel 6:12-28; Luke 21:20-28

“When these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”


Friday 26th November


The source of our “inspo”


The Bible has been and continues to be a treasure of inspiration (or "inspo" to the younger set), guiding us through the difficult, ordinary, and joyful moments of everyday life. Instead of tweets, there are verses; instead of hashtags, there are the great biblical themes of creation, love, mercy, and faithfulness. #awesome Even better than tweets and hashtags, however, is the fact that inspo for Christians is not just a feel-good motivation; it is also a real-time experience of God. God inspires—“in-spirits”—us. God breathes God’s very spirit with us. What does or could this inspo mean for you today? 


Today's readings: Daniel 7:2-14; Luke 21:29-33

“Know that the Kingdom of God is near.”


Saturday 27th November


Every day a new challenge


Seems lately that every day is D-Day: division, disease, disaster. The news can be overwhelming, and the temptation, which Jesus warned against, is to pull the covers over our heads and sleepwalk through life. Call on the courageous example of Mary, who faced challenges few of us can imagine as she carried out her mission and trusted the Word living within her. We share in that mission to bring God into the world. Trust and stay strong in the storm!


Today's readings: Daniel 7:15-27; Luke 21:34-36 Jesus said to his disciples:

‘Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy . . . . Be vigilant at all times.’ ”

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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