Reflections on the Daily Readings 2nd August 2021

Webmaster • July 31, 2021

Monday 2nd August


Memorial Of Peter Julian Eymard, Priest

The communion of saints awaits you


Saint Peter Julian Eymard was a 19th-century French priest with a devotion to the Eucharist. He founded two religious institutes with a focus on Eucharistic Adoration: the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament for men and the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament for women. The former prepared children for their First Communion and reached out to lapsed Catholics to bring them back to receiving Communion. He famously said, “You take Communion to become holy, not because you already are.” Perhaps you spent some time away from the Eucharist because of the pandemic. No matter how long you are apart, Christ eagerly awaits your return.


Today's readings: Numbers 11:4b-15; Matthew 14:13-21

“He said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples.”




Tuesday 3rd August


We’re in the same boat


The “Barque (boat) of Saint Peter” is one of the oldest symbols of the Catholic Church. Early church fathers, like Tertullian and Clement of Alexandria, compared the church to a sailing vessel. Saint Boniface wrote: “The church is like a great ship being pounded by the waves of life’s different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship, but to keep her on her course.” As Peter learned, the trick is to place our trust in Jesus. Pray for Pope Francis—successor to Peter—that he can guide the church through today’s troubled waters.



Today's readings: Numbers 12:1-13; Matthew 14:22-36 or Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14 (408).

"Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus."



Wednesday 4th August


Memorial Of John Vianney, Priest

Ministry for the ministers


The unique lives of Catholic priests and religious sometimes give rise to stressful times and difficult transitions that need the help of a healing hand. The Saint John Vianney Center in Downingtown, Pennsylvania serves Catholic clergy and religious struggling with behavioral and emotional issues, addictive and compulsive disorders, weight management, and other challenging issues that arise during their vocational journeys. The JVC employs modern therapeutic support along with traditional prayer, spiritual practices, and the intercession of today’s saint to restore these dedicated men and women to active and fruitful ministry. Pray for your religious sisters and brothers, priests, deacons, and bishops. They need your love.


Today's readings: Numbers 13:1-2, 25—14:1, 26-29a, 34-35; Matthew 15:21-28 (409).

“O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”


Thursday 5th August


Memorial Of The Dedication Of The Basilica Of Mary Major

Legend-worthy Madonna


Legend has it that a freak snowstorm in August was a sign that urged a Christian couple to build an enormous Roman church dedicated to the Virgin: the Basilica of Mary Major, founded in the 400s. Yet this story is like many others that church historians call “legends.” Our legends are not to be disdained; they usually uphold truths as interesting as the facts. In this case, the larger truth is that Mary is a key member of the communion of saints who helps us on our path to God. During this month when Mary is particularly venerated, ask for her intercession.


Today's readings: Numbers 20:1-13; Matthew 16:13-23 (410).

“Then, raising his hand, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff, and water gushed out in abundance for the people and their livestock to drink".


Friday 6th August


Feast Of The Transfiguration Of The Lord

Shhh . . .


“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply,” says leadership guru Stephen Covey. When we fail to listen, we miss the messages necessary for growth in ourselves and others. Listening builds a well of wisdom that helps the listener and the speaker get to know themselves better. “Listening is a form of spiritual hospitality,” says Henri Nouwen, and Pope Francis calls listening a form of “self-sacrifice” as we put another person above ourselves and “share questions and doubts.” God commanded Jesus’ disciples to listen to him. We are called to do the same.


Today's readings: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Mark 9:2-10 (614).

“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."




Saturday 7th August


Memorial Of Sixtus Ii, Pope, And Companions, Martyrs

The courage to teach


Today's teachers have a tough job (which the pandemic only made more difficult). But imagine risking your life to teach about your faith. That's how it was "back in the day." In the year 258, Roman soldiers burst into the room where Sixtus was teaching, dragged him from the chair, and beheaded him in the street. Six deacons joined him in martyrdom that day. Many bishops, priests, and deacons were murdered during that persecution by the Roman Emperor Valerian. Next time you’re in the pew, find Sixtus in Eucharistic Prayer I, the first one printed in your missalette. He’s in the list that includes “Linus, Cletus, Clement,” and other notables of the early church. When you get to the name Sixtus II, pause and remember his courageous sacrifice to pass on the faith.


Today's readings: Deuteronomy 6:4-13; Matthew 17:14-20 (412).

“[I]f you have faith the size of a mustard seed . . . . Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Prayers for the Sick

By Webmaster • September 18, 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, Marie White,Lesley Watson (Spain) John McGuire, Maureen McHugh,Margaret Burke, Kathleen Daly, Jill Brown, Karen Pritchatt, Louise Newton, Faith Lyndsey, Marie McGuire, James Morton, Paul Kearney, Thomas Daly, Andrew McCluskey, Premature Baby Vincent McDowell, Gudren Berk (Germany), Jaqueline McReynolds, Mary Morrison, Helen Howarth (Easterhouse), Margaret Loan, Avril McCluskey, Carol Corr, Thomas Kennedy, Margaret Park, Alana Hepburn, Michael Ritchie, Hugh O'Donnell, and all our sick. .

Dates for your diary

By Webmaster • September 18, 2026
 24th October Mass of the Sick 10am Mass 7th November Annual Mass for the Dead 10am Mass

This Sunday's readings - Sunday 20th September

By Webmaster • September 18, 2026
First Reading Isaiah 55:6-9 God's ways are far beyond the ways of human beings. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 145:2-3,8-9,17-18 God is near to those who call upon him. Second Reading Philippians 1:20c-24,27a Paul tells the Philippians to live for Christ. Gospel Reading Matthew 20:1-16 In the parable of the workers in the vineyard, Jesus teaches about God's generous mercy. Background on the Gospel Reading In today's Gospel, Jesus moves from Galilee to teach in Judea where he is sought out by great crowds and tested by the Pharisees on issues such as marriage and divorce. Jesus also encounters a rich young man who is unable to accept Jesus' demand that he leave his possessions to follow him. Jesus' response to the rich young man sounds very much like the conclusion we will find in today's Gospel: the first will be last and the last will be first. On the surface, the parable of the workers in the vineyard appears to be an offense to common sense. Those who work a longer day ought to be paid more than those who work just an hour or two. When viewed in this way, the landowner seems unfair. That is because we are reading into the parable our own preconceived notions of how fairness and equality should be quantified. A close read shows us that the landowner paid on the terms that were negotiated. The landowner, it seems, has acted completely justly. The parable goes beyond that, however, and we come to see that the landowner is not simply just, he is exceptionally just. He is radically just. He has given those who labored in the field for a full day their due pay. But he has also given a full-day's wage to those who worked only a single hour. No one is cheated, but a few receive abundantly from the landowner just as we receive from God more than what is merely justifiable or due. God, like the landowner, is radically just and abundantly generous. The workers who complain are made to look foolish as they lament the fact that landowner has made all workers equal. Indeed, what more could one ask for than to be treated as an equal at work or anywhere else?  The parable reminds us that although God owes us nothing, he offers abundantly and equally. We are occasionally tempted to think that our own actions deserve more reward, more of God's abundant mercy, than the actions of others. But God's generosity cannot be quantified or partitioned into different amounts for different people. When we think that way, we are trying to relate to God on our terms rather than to accept God's radically different ways.

Prayers for the recently dead, months, mind and Anniversaries

By Webmaster • September 18, 2026
Our Recently Dead Rosemarie Burns, Thomas McNutt Month Minds & Anniversaries Betty King, Ann Durnian, Elizabeth & Stuart Johnston, Aldo Valente, Maureen Sheridan, James Whyte, Pat Dougan 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

800th Anniversary of the Death of St. Francis

By Webmaster • September 18, 2026
From Friday 25th September to Sunday 4th October. St. Francis' Peace Prayer will be said at the end of every Mass. Monday 28th September A Parish Mass for St. Peter's in St. John Olgivie Church7pm. Veneration of Relic of St. Francis' at the End of the Mass. I will celebrate the Mass. Bus will be available to take you to St. John Olgivie's if you do not have transport. List at back of the Church. Sunday 4th October Feast of St. Francis of Assisi Blessing of Pets After 11am Mass

Gift Aid

By Webmaster • September 4, 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.

Coffee mornings

By Webmaster • September 4, 2026
Coffee Morning Every Tuesday starting from 29th September in the Side Chapel after the 10am Mass.

This Sunday's readings - Sunday 6th September

By Webmaster • September 4, 2026
First Reading Ezekiel 33:7-9 The Son of Man is appointed as guardian of Israel. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 95:1-2,6-9 Song of praise to God, our salvation. Second Reading Romans 13:8-10 The Law is summarized in the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself. Gospel Reading Matthew 18:15-20 Jesus teaches his disciples how to settle disputes in the Church. Background on the Gospel Reading Today’s Gospel reading is taken from a chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, which is sometimes called the “discourse on the Church” or the “church order” discourse. In this part of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus speaks more directly about matters of Church discipline and order. In today’s reading we find one of only three instances in which Jesus uses the word church in Matthew’s Gospel. In Matthew’s record of Jesus’ teaching, we can hear echoes of the kinds of issues faced by the early Christian community. In the first part of the “discourse on the Church” (Matthew 18:1-14), Matthew addresses the Christian community’s concerns about rank. Jesus responds to the disciples’ question about who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus indicates that those who wish to enter the kingdom of heaven must be like children, and he cautions those leaders who might lead these “little ones” astray. He also responds with the parable of the lost sheep, indicating how God will seek out and bring back those “little ones” who have strayed. In today’s Gospel reading, Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus addresses a common occurrence in the Christian community: a dispute between two members of the Church. Jesus outlines a procedure for settling such matters fairly. The victim should privately address the offender and attempt to resolve the dispute without outside involvement. If that fails, then the victim should bring two or three witnesses and confront the offender again. If the dispute is still unresolved, the matter should be brought to the attention of the entire community. If the offender refuses to adhere to the reparations prescribed by the community, then Jesus suggests that the offender may be expelled from the Church.  Jesus does not discourage disagreement within the community of the Church; he acknowledges the reality of conflict and error and offers his disciples a means for addressing such matters. It is in the conclusion to this teaching that the message of hope is found: Jesus is present with the community and will guide the community in its relations. If decisions are taken in prayer, then the community can be assured of God’s assistance.

This Sunday's readings - Sunday 30th August

By Webmaster • August 28, 2026
First Reading Jeremiah 20:7-9 Jeremiah laments but cannot fail to speak in God’s name. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 63:2-6,8-9 Our souls yearn for God. Second Reading Romans 12:1-2 Paul encourages the Romans to stay faithful to God. Gospel Reading Matthew 16:21-27 Jesus speaks of his Passion and rebukes Peter for his objection. Background on the Gospel Reading Today’s Gospel continues the story that began in last week’s Gospel. Simon Peter was called the “rock” upon which Jesus would build his Church, and yet Peter continues to show the limitations of his understanding of Jesus’ identity. Now that the disciples have acknowledged that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus confides in them the outcome of his ministry: he must suffer and die in Jerusalem to be raised on the third day. Peter rejects this prediction, and Jesus rebukes him severely, calling him “Satan.” In opposing this aspect of Jesus’ mission, Peter shows that he is no longer speaking based on the revelation from God but as a human being. Jesus then teaches all of the disciples about the difficult path of discipleship: to be Christ’s disciple is to follow in his way of the cross. Peter could not yet understand what it meant to call Jesus the Messiah. It is unlikely that the other disciples understood any better. Messianic expectations were a common aspect of first-century Judaism. Under Roman occupation, many in Israel hoped and prayed that God would send a Messiah to free the Jews from Roman oppression. The common view was that the Messiah would be a political figure, a king that would free Israel from Roman rule. This is perhaps what Peter envisioned when he was led to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. In this passage, however, Jesus is beginning to teach his disciples that he would be the Messiah in a different way.  Jesus would be more like the suffering servant described by the prophet Isaiah than the political liberator. Those who would be Jesus' disciples would be called to a similar life of service. Perhaps this is what Peter feared most in Jesus’ prediction of his Passion. He whom Jesus had called “rock” would also be called upon to offer himself in sacrifice and service to others. Christian leaders today are still called to sacrifice and serve others as Jesus did.

First Friday Mass

By Webmaster • August 28, 2026
There will be a change from this First Friday 4th September. Before both schools came together for the First Friday. This has been the case since I arrived here in St. Peter's. This needs to change because of the numbers of pupils in St. Marks. And after discussion with both headteachers, the change will look like this. 4th September (First Friday Mass) St.Peter's: The Church St. Mark's: The School 2nd October: (First Friday Mass) St. Mark's: The Church St.Peter's: The School And it continue like this.
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