Reflections on the Daily Readings 5th June 2023

Webmaster • June 5, 2023

Monday 5th June


Make your life a work of art


Artist and author on interreligious thought, Frederick Franck was born in 1909 in Holland and died on this day in 2006 in Warwick, New York—the place of his life’s work, Pacem in Terris (“Peace on Earth”), a garden of more than 70 sculptures, open free to the public and dedicated to Pope John XXIII, Dr. Albert Schweitzer, and the Buddhist teacher D.T. Suzuki. Raised agnostic in a Catholic region of his country and a student of Zen Buddhism, Franck was inspired during the Cuban Missile Crisis to go to Rome in 1963 to draw all the sessions of the Second Vatican Council. “Art is neither a profession nor a hobby, it is a way of being,” he said. Take inspiration to creatively express your spirituality in your own way of being.


Today's readings: Tobit 1:3; 2:1b-8; Mark 12:1-12 


Tuesday 6th June


One bread, one body 


A painting by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens—called The Defenders of the Eucharist—includes a serene Saint Norbert, his white robes wrapped around a ciborium (the cup that holds the consecrated Eucharist) as he cradles the Blessed Sacrament. Norbert founded the Norbertine religious order as well as the first Third Order for laypeople embracing the spirit of religious life. And, as a successful peacemaker, he’s often depicted with an olive branch. But Norbert’s preaching about the Blessed Sacrament, convincing entire villages to reclaim their lost belief in the Real Presence—also having eucharistic miracles happen on his watch—has earned him the title “Apostle of the Blessed Sacrament.” May he inspire our devotion as the National Eucharistic Revival enters its second phase this month.


Today's readings: Tobit 2:9-14; Mark 12:13-17


Wednesday 7th June


Transcending prejudice in service to God 


This day marks the 105th death anniversary of Servant of God Julia Greeley, one of seven AfricanAmerican Catholics on the path to sainthood. She is one of two such candidates born into slavery in Ralls County, Missouri during the mid-19th century, alongside Venerable Augustus Tolton. Freed during the Civil War, she emigrated to Colorado with her employer and became a Catholic due to their influence. There she would become known as “Denver’s Angel of Charity” despite her own poverty, assisting the destitute at night so as not to offend her white beneficiaries. She died in 1918 and was the first and only Catholic layperson to lay in repose in the city—later becoming the first buried in the cathedral. May her legacy of service live on in all of us.


Today's readings: Tobit 3:1-11a, 16- 17a; Mark 12:18-27 (355).

Thursday 8th June


Love begets love


It’s June, a popular month for weddings in North America. Church teachings about marriage varied for the first millennium. Today they communicate high ideals, resting on this basic framework, paraphrased from the Catechism of the Catholic Church: God loves us with a definitive and irrevocable love; married couples share in this love, which supports and sustains them. Their faithfulness to each other witnesses God’s persistent love. Many are called to marriage, but others follow a different path. How has God called you to share the love poured out on you?


Today's readings: Tobit 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9a; Mark 12:28- 34 

Friday 9th June


A troubled land calls for compassion 


Saint Ephrem of Syria was a prolific writer of poetry, hymns, poems, sermons, and biblical commentaries. He has been called the most significant of all the fathers of the Syriac-speaking church tradition. He addressed the church in Syria in troubled times … and Syria’s troubles continue, perhaps never more acutely than today. Already suffering badly the devastation of 12 years of ruthless suppression, in February it suffered a devastating earthquake that killed more than 7,000 people and devastated more than 10,000 buildings in northwest Syria. The U.N. reports that more than 4 million Syrians, mostly women and children, depend on humanitarian aid to survive. Mercy USA invites donations for housing for destitute Syrians. Consider a donation in honor of Ephrem.


Today's readings: Tobit 11:5-17; Mark 12:35-37 (357).


Saturday 10th June


The widow’s mite revisited 


It is ironic that the story of the widow’s mite in today’s gospel is so often used as an example of generous giving when it’s obvious that giving “all she had, her whole livelihood” had left her destitute and penniless. Jesus actually uses the widow’s action as an example of what happens when the unscrupulous clergy of his day, with their long robes and the esteem of the people, “devour the houses of widows.” The lesson is for religious leaders not to push poor people into deeper poverty. Pray for your pastors.


Today's readings: Tobit 12:1, 5-15, 20; Mark 12:38-44 

Prayers for the Sick

By Webmaster • August 21, 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, 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, Carol Corr, Thomas Kennedy, David Borland, Margaret Park, Alana Hepburn, Michael Ritchie, and all our sick. .

Dates for your diary

By Webmaster • August 21, 2026
2nd September RCIA begins Chapel House at 7pm 24th October Mass of the Sick 10am Mass 7th November Annual Mass for the Dead 10am Mass

Gift Aid

By Webmaster • August 21, 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.

Prayers for the recently dead, months, mind and Anniversaries

By Webmaster • August 14, 2026
Our Recently Dead Kirsty Houghton (Rugby), Janet Flynn, Ruth Leabody, Patricia McKale, Gerry McDonald, Patricia Murphy, Mary Lambrou, John Rafferty Month Minds & Anniversaries Anne Stanley Smith, Charles O'Donnell, Elizabeth O'Donnell, Emma Ramsay, Catherine Rundell, Tracey Archibald, Jean O'Donnell 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 • August 21, 2026
I am also 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.

This Sunday's readings - Sunday 23rd August

By Webmaster • August 21, 2026
First Reading Isaiah 22:19-23 God will remove Shebna from his office as master of the palace.. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 138:1-3,6,8 God’s kindness is forever. Second Reading Romans 11:33-36 Paul sings praise to God. Gospel Reading Matthew 16:13-20 Simon Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Christ and is given the key to the Kingdom of Heaven. Background on the Gospel Reading It is important to read today’s Gospel and next week’s Gospel as two parts of a single story. These readings are a turning point in Matthew’s Gospel. This week we hear Jesus name Simon Peter as the rock upon which he will build his Church. Next week we will hear Jesus call this same Simon Peter "Satan" when he reacts negatively to Jesus’ prediction about his passion and death. In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples what people are saying about his identity. The disciples indicate that most people believe that Jesus is a prophet of Israel. Then Jesus asks his disciples who they believe that he is. Simon Peter answers, identifying Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus commends Simon Peter for this profession of faith, indicating that this insight has come from God. Because of Simon Peter’s response, Jesus calls him the "rock" upon which Jesus will build the Church. This is a word play on the name Peter, which is the Greek word for "rock." Peter is then given special authority by Jesus, a symbolic key to the Kingdom of Heaven. Peter will play an important role in the early Christian community as a spokesperson and a leader. In today’s Gospel, Peter’s recognition of Jesus’ identity is credited to a revelation by God. This will contrast sharply with Jesus’ rebuke of Peter in next week’s Gospel. When Peter rejects Jesus’ prediction of his passion and death, Peter is said to no longer be thinking as God does but as humans do.  The use of the term church in today’s Gospel is one of only three such occurrences in Matthew’s Gospel. Peter in this Gospel is being credited as the foundation for the Church, a privilege granted to him because of his recognition of Jesus’ identity. The Church continues to be grounded in the faith that Jesus Christ is Lord.

800th Anniversary of the Death of St. Francis

By Webmaster • August 21, 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

This Sunday's readings - Sunday 16th August

By Webmaster • August 14, 2026
First Reading Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a,10ab The sign of God's salvation will be a woman clothed with the sun. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 45:10-12,16 The queen takes her place next to God. Second Reading 1 Corinthians 15:20-27 Christ has redeemed Adam's sin. Gospel Reading Luke 1:39-56 Mary greets Elizabeth and sings God's praise. Background on the Gospel Reading Today's feast celebrates Mary's Assumption into heaven. It is one of three feasts of Mary that are Holy Days of Obligation for Catholics in the United States. January 1 is the feast of Mary, the Mother of God, and December 8 is the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven has long been held as an important Catholic belief. The belief was not defined as dogma, however, until 1950 by Pope Pius XII. The dogma teaches that Mary, who was without sin, was taken, body and soul, into the glory of heaven. The Gospel for this holy day recalls Mary's actions after the announcement of Jesus' birth by the Angel Gabriel. Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth who is also with child. Elizabeth greets Mary with full recognition of the roles they and their unborn children will play in God's plan for salvation. Mary responds to Elizabeth's greeting with her song of praise, the Magnificat. Both women recall and echo God's history of showing favor upon the people of Israel. Mary's Magnificat, in particular, echoes the song of praise offered by Hannah, the mother of Samuel. The Gospel for this day reminds us that Mary's Assumption into heaven is best understood with regard for the full spectrum of Catholic beliefs about the person of Christ and the person of Mary. Only Mary, who was born without stain of original sin—the Immaculate Conception—could give birth to Christ, who is fully God and fully human. This is called the Immaculate Conception. Because of Mary's role in God's plan of salvation, she does not suffer from the effects of sin, which are death and decay. Mary is the first to receive the fullness of the redemption that her son has won for all of humanity. The Church, therefore, recognizes Mary as the sign of the salvation promised to all. Today's Gospel highlights Mary's faith. Mary's faith enabled her to recognise the work of God in her people's history and in her own life. Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to all. Mary is a model and symbol of the Church. May we be like Mary, open and cooperative in God's plan of salvation.

This Sunday's readings - Sunday 9th August

By Webmaster • August 8, 2026
First Reading 1 Kings 19:9a,11-13a The Lord appears to Elijah in a whisper. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 85:9-14 The Lord is the source of salvation. Second Reading Romans 9:1-5 Paul speaks of the blessings that have come to the Israelites. Gospel Reading Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus walks on water, and the disciples acknowledge him as the Son of God.  Background on the Gospel Reading Today’s Gospel directly follows last week’s account of Jesus feeding a crowd of more than 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. For the sake of the crowds, Jesus had postponed his time of solitude. Now, at last, Jesus finds some time for quiet and prayer. He sends his disciples ahead of him by boat, dismisses the crowds, and then withdraws to the mountain to pray. The disciples do not fare well. They struggle to weather the wind and waves, making little progress in their journey. We are reminded of a previous story in Chapter 8 of Matthew’s Gospel, when Jesus calms the seas. This time, however, Jesus does not calm the seas, and the disciples do not express fear until they see Jesus walking toward them on the water. In this story it is not the storm that is feared but the sight of Jesus before them, whom they mistake for a ghost. Clues like these suggest that this story is about the disciples’ growing understanding of the identity of Jesus. In continuity with last week’s Gospel about the feeding of the multitude, today’s Gospel is also about what the disciples’ faith in Jesus will enable them to do. In last week’s Gospel, when the disciples see the crowds, they ask Jesus to send the crowds away. Jesus turns the situation around, telling the disciples to feed the crowd with the provisions that they have. Both of these Gospels tell us much about ministry. Jesus calls to the disciples and calms their fears. He is not a ghost. The impulsive Peter seeks proof that the person is indeed Jesus. He asks Jesus to call him out onto the water, and Jesus grants this request. Peter’s fear and doubt overtake him, however, once he is walking on the water. Jesus reaches out to Peter and saves him. When Jesus and Peter enter the boat, Matthew reports that the wind ceases, and the disciples confess that Jesus is the Son of God. Faith in Jesus will enable the disciples to do the work that Jesus has done. Peter walks on water. The five loaves and two fish feed a multitude of people. The disciples can and will participate in the work of the kingdom of heaven. When Peter fears and doubts the person of Jesus, however, he falters. Peter’s example teaches us that true Christian ministry emerges from the faith that Jesus is the Messiah, God’s only Son.

This Sunday's readings - Sunday 2nd August

By Webmaster • August 1, 2026
First Reading Isaiah 55:1-3 The Lord will renew his covenant with the descendents of David. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 145:8-9,15-18 The Lord provides for his people. Second Reading Romans 8:35,37-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Gospel Reading Matthew 14:13-21 Jesus feeds the crowd with five loaves and two fish. Background on the Gospel Reading Today we jump ahead in our reading of Matthew's Gospel to Chapter 14. Last week we heard Jesus conclude his discourse with the crowds about the Kingdom of Heaven. In Matthew's narrative, Jesus then leaves the crowds and returns to Nazareth, where he is rejected. Matthew then recounts the story of John the Baptist's arrest and execution at the hands of Herod. Today's Gospel reading begins at this point. Upon hearing the news of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus seeks to withdraw, but the crowds follow him. Jesus reaches out to them in compassion and heals the sick. At the end of a long day, the disciples encourage Jesus to send the crowds away so that they might find provisions for themselves. Jesus again responds with compassion for the crowd. Jesus tells his disciples to provide food for the crowd. The disciples reply with a report of the meagerness of their own provisions—five loaves and two fish. The result is the very familiar miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. Matthew's Gospel tells us that 5,000 men were fed, and this number does not even include the women and children. Jesus' blessing brought abundance from the meager provisions of the disciples. In this action, Jesus offers us a sign of the Kingdom of Heaven that he has been teaching about in the parables. A feast results from the smallest of portions—remember the mustard seed and the yeast. In this miracle we witness an example for Christian life and ministry. Even the smallest of offerings can produce abundant results when placed in the service of the Kingdom of Heaven. We find the story of Jesus' multiplication of the loaves and the fish in each of the four Gospels. In the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, Jesus performs this same miracle on two separate occasions. The story of this miracle is an anticipation of the Eucharist in which we are fed by the abundant grace of God. The importance of the Eucharist has been a defining element of Christian life from the very beginning.
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