Reflections on the Daily Readings 27th February 2023

Webmaster • February 25, 2023

Monday 27th February


A book for your nightstand, next to your Bible


Grigor Narekatsi, born near the turn of the first millennium, was an Armenian mystical and lyrical poet, monk, and theologian. He has the distinction of being venerated as a saint in the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic Churches and was declared a doctor of the church by Pope Francis in 2015. The prayer book of Gregory of Narek is a fixture in religious Armenian homes, second only to the Bible, and is considered a masterpiece of Christian spiritual literature. It has been translated into 30 languages, including English. Given the rave reviews, consider this writer-saint for your next read!


LENTEN WEEKDAY

Today’s readings: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18; Matthew 25:31-46 (224).


Tuesday 28th February


United in prayer


Pope Benedict XVI, may he rest in peace, wrote beautifully on prayer and the Our Father: “In praying our heart is opened. Not only do we enter into communion with God but actually with all the children of God, because we are one body. When we address the Father in our inner room in silence and in recollection we are never alone. Those who speak to God are not alone. We are within the great prayer of the Church, we are part of a great symphony that the Christian community in all the parts of the earth and in all epochs, raises to God.” Pray the Our Father slowly and consciously today, with everyone.


LENTEN WEEKDAY

Today's readings: Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 6:7-15 (225).


Wednesday 1st March


Get on board for justice


Today marks the 98th death anniversary of Homer Plessy, the man who attempted to end segregation with his legendary ride on a whites-only streetcar in New Orleans in 1892. His efforts were unsuccessful, and the following seven decades of U.S. jurisprudence included segregation as a bedrock feature. Plessy, however, is much less heralded for the fact that he was a man of faith, a black Catholic whose famous ride was organized by an interracial activist group known as the Comité des Citoyens (Citizens’ Committee). Their holy disobedience was one of the first Catholic-led efforts against the developing hierarchy of racism in the formerly French and Spanish regions of the Deep South. May the courage of Plessy and his allies be of use to us today as we continue the march toward justice.


LENTEN WEEKDAY

Today's readings: Jonah 3:1-10; Luke 11:29-32 (226).

Thursday 2nd March


Read it and reap 


Welcome to Read Across America Day, established in 1998 by the National Education Association to encourage this most central, enjoyable, and enriching of activities. Popular among teachers, students, and librarians, today can also be a day for Catholics to explore and support organizations such as the Catholic Media Association, whose members inform, inspire, and educate readers, keeping them connected to their faith, and telling the story of the church. Check a list of Catholic newspapers and magazines to find one you can support with a subscription. You in turn will be supported in your faith.


LENTEN WEEKDAY

Today's readings: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Matthew 7:7-12 (227).


Friday 3rd March


Store up treasure in heaven


Saint Katharine Drexel was born in Philadelphia in 1858 to a wealthy family. The Drexels had a reputation for generosity, reportedly opening their home several days a week to feed and care for people in need. They also made time every day to pray together. During a trip to Europe as a young woman, Katharine was able to have an audience with Pope Leo XIII. She asked the Holy Father to send missionaries to Wyoming. He answered, “Why don’t you go?” Not long after, Katharine stunned society by leaving behind her privileged life to dedicate herself to religious life. She worked to improve living conditions and educational opportunities for African Americans and Native Americans. She left a legacy far greater than her family fortune.


LENTEN WEEKDAY

Today's readings: Ezekiel 18:21-28; Matthew 5:20-26 (228).



Saturday 4th March


Short but sweet sainthood


Lenten inspiration can come from anywhere—from scripture to Instagram, from saints to young people. While not a Bible figure or social media influencer, 15th century Casimir of Poland happens to fit the categories of both saint and young person. Saint Casimir was a prince who was under intense pressure from his family and country to take a leading role in government and politics. But Casimir felt called to focus on prayer, study, and care for people in need. Although he had to contend with some very disappointed people, he stood firm in his decision to follow his calling. Disease cut short his life at the tender age of 25, but his example can inspire us to live out our calling and thus help fulfill his.


LENTEN WEEKDAY

Today's readings: Deuteronomy 26:16-19; Matthew 5:43-48 (229).

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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