Reflections on the Daily Readings 25th October 2021

Webmaster • October 23, 2021

Monday 25th October


Good for what ails you


Research suggests that regular meditation may help reduce blood pressure, digestive problems, anxiety and depression, and insomnia, among other ailments. Prayerful meditation also heals your soul. Catholics have a lot of help at their disposal here— from the Rosary to Lectio Divina. “There are as many and varied methods of meditation as there are spiritual masters. Christians owe it to themselves to develop the desire to meditate regularly,” says the catechism. “But a method is only a guide; the important thing is to advance, with the Holy Spirit, along the one way of prayer: Christ Jesus.” Take the best medicine of all!


Today's readings: Romans 8:12-17; Luke 13:10-17 (479).

“Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.”



Tuesday 26th October


Care for the caregivers, too


In November 2017 European members of the World Medical Association convened at the Vatican for a conversation on ethical issues surrounding palliative care. Nearby, the International Confederation of Catholic Health Care Institutions was meeting to discuss inequalities in health care. Pope Francis addressed them all: “The categorical imperative is to never abandon the sick.” No matter the graveness of the medical condition, “we are called to show love and closeness.” Recognizing that “visit the sick” is one of the seven corporal works of mercy, how can you show or send care today—perhaps by supporting Catholic chaplains during this Pastoral Care Week?


Today's readings: Romans 8:18-25; Luke 13:18-21 (480).

“Sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.”



Wednesday 27th October


Gentle reminder: Pray today


Benedictine monk Father Godfrey Diekmann, O.S.B., a pillar of the liturgical movement of the last century, tells the story of picking watercress one day on his monastery’s grounds and landing in a swamp. Try as he might he couldn’t extricate himself. He was eventually rescued by his fellow monks. He wrote of the incident: “ What now bothers me is that during the entire ordeal of about 25 minutes I didn’t have a single pious thought! What does that say of my more than 50 years of monastic life? Do I have to start all over again?” Forgetting to pray happens to the best of us. But it is never too late to start. A simple prayer of blessing, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, or praise will suffice. Better yet, start with Veni, Sancte Spiritus!, “Come, Holy Spirit!"


Today's readings: Romans 8:26-30; Luke 13:22-30 (481).

“The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought.”


Thursday 28th October


FEAST OF SIMON AND JUDE, APOSTLES

Strive for decreasing returns


Saints Simon and Jude have countless images and namesakes, yet we know almost nothing about these apostles whose feast day is today. They were among the 12 apostles, and tradition has it they spread the Good News in Persia. We honor their memory anyway, knowing that for the faithful, “He must increase, and I must decrease, ” as John the Baptist put it. To be remembered after death as a faithful apostle is not a bad legacy for any Christian! Do one small act today that makes you recognizable as a faithful apostle.


Today's readings: Ephesians 2:19-22; Luke 6:12-16 (666).

“Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God.”



Friday 29th October


Tender mercies


Depression, anxiety, profound sadness, or grief—these can sometimes make us feel like we’re no good or God has abandoned us. But it is at these times especially when God tenderly draws close to us. Though it may be difficult to lift our hearts in prayer when we are suffering, we can pray this prayer for ourselves and one another (attributed to Saint Augustine): “Watch, O Lord, with those who wake or watch or weep tonight, and give your angels and saints charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest your weary ones. Bless your dying ones. Soothe your suffering ones. Pity your afflicted ones. Shield your joyous ones. And all for love’s sake.” Amen!


Today's readings: Romans 9:1-5; Luke 14:1-6 (483).

“I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart.”



Saturday 30th October


Room to grow


We’ve all heard that the “humble will be exalted.” Sounds nice, but where can we look for examples, for a role model? Look no further than Mary, Mother of God. Saturday is the traditional day of the week to recall Mary’s example of exalted humility. Mary was humble enough to “make room” for God—literally, in her womb. She was willing to trust God with everything—her reputation, her envisioned marriage, her very body. Do you trust enough to make room so that God can be born in you?


Today's readings: Romans 11:1-2a, 11-12, 25-29: Luke 14:1, 7-11 (484).

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

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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