Reflections on the Daily Readings 31st May 2021

Webmaster • May 29, 2021

Monday 31st May 2021


Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth

Believe the impossible

National holidays frequently take precedence over our daily routines, and this Memorial Day is no exception as the country honors those who gave their lives in service. In the midst of your holiday activities, however, take a moment to ponder today’s Feast of the Visitation. It's a wonderfilled account of God’s power to transform human life, as two holy women—cousins Mary and Elizabeth—embrace their unusual and graced pregnancies. Their joy trumps any worry as they glorify the Lord who lifts up the lowly and fills the hungry with good things. Mary’s words have echoed through centuries of faith, calling all believers to see the presence of God in the unexpected. Ask for the grace to see the Holy today.


Today's readings: Zephaniah 3:14-18a or Romans 12:9-16; Luke 1:39-56 “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God, my saviour.”

Tuesday 1st June 2021


Wise up!

Justin sought a universal truth in the Greek philosophies of his day— among Stoics, Platonists, and Pythagoreans—but it was an old man he met, walking along the sea one day in 135, who finally enlightened him. The man simply recounted the story of the Hebrew prophets and Christianity. Justin was hooked. He donned philosopher’s robes to speak of faith and reason, writing persuasively about Christianity. Justin’s writings are most famous for providing a vivid snapshot of the early church—describing in detail how the Eucharist and Baptisms were celebrated, also the practice of reading aloud from the gospels. Seek the truths of the faith in your own way.


Today's readings: Tobit 2:9-14; Mark 12:13-17 “Do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.”



Wednesday 2nd June 2021


On we go

By the time of Jesus, the possibility of life after death had been in the theological discussion for at least a century. In response to the Book of Job, which questioned why bad things happen to good people, the Book of Wisdom, written in the first century before Christ, declared that the “souls of the just are in the hands of God” and that God’s justice was at work even after death. The Sadducees in today’s gospel contest the idea, while Jesus supports it. Our faith in God’s eternal presence helps us to endure the injustices of life and bear wrongs patiently. Remember today that we believe in life everlasting.

Today's readings: Tobit 3:1-11a, 16-17a; Mark 12:18-27 “When they rise from the dead . . . they are like the angels in heaven.”

Thursday 3rd June 2021


Faith rises from the ashes

Twenty-two men and boys, many of them pages in King Mwanga's court in Uganda, were murdered between 1885 and 1887 for refusing to denounce their Catholic faith. Most were burned to death at Namugondo after a two-day death march from the palace. Within several decades, a church was erected near the site of the gruesome executions to honour the martyrs. Now a basilica stands on this holy ground in thanksgiving for the canonization of the Ugandan martyrs in 1964. “A martyr is a witness,” Pope Francis said during a 2015 visit to Uganda. “Past glories were a beginning, but you are called to create future glories. This is what the church asks of you.” This is what the church asks of all of us. How will you witness the glory of the gospel today?


Today's readings: Tobit 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9a; Mark 12:28-34 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.”



Friday 4th June 2021

 

What a blessed day this be

As the northern hemisphere revels in the glories of spring, it's a fitting time to say a few “Glory Be’s” and “Blessed Be’s” in thanksgiving. The “Glory Be,” or “Doxology,” is a short hymn of praise and affirmation of faith: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.” The “Blessed Be’s,” also known as the “Divine Praises,” are a litany honouring the Trinity, the Blessed Mother, and the angels and saints: “Blessed be God. Blessed be His Holy Name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. . . .” It is typically recited during Benediction and Eucharistic Adoration. But anytime, particularly a sunny day, is the right time to acknowledge how blessed we are to be loved by God.


Today's readings: Tobit 11:5-17; Mark 12:35-37 “Blessed be God, and praised be his great name.”


Saturday 5th June 2021


Animate your life story

Saint Boniface (c. 673-754), born in Devonshire, England, entered the Benedictine Monastery at Exeter and was ordained a priest at 30. Despite his happy life as a monk, he decided to travel to Holland and then Germany as a missionary. He's now known as the “Apostle to Germany” and is credited with unifying the church in Europe. Boniface’s chief concern throughout his life was purity of faith. He saw his mission as ensuring that men and women—lay, clerics, and religious—live holy lives. He exhorted the faithful: “Let all your actions be animated with charity, and according to the gospel, you will possess your souls in patience.” May you experience the peace that comes with a life motivated by love.



Today's readings: Tobit 12:1, 5-15, 20; Mark 12:38-44 “Do good, and evil will not find its way to you.

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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