Reflections on the Daily Readings 6th February 2023

Webmaster • February 4, 2023

Monday 6th February


Be nourished by his rain


Almost 350 years before the second atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Nagasaki, it was the site of another tragedy—the place where 26 Christian martyrs were crucified on a hill, now known as Holy Mountain. The best known of the martyrs was Brother Paul Miki, a native Japanese member of the Jesuit order. While hanging on his cross, he continued to preach, expressing thanks to God that he was dying for teaching the doctrine of Christ and urging his listeners to “ask Christ to help you to become happy.” He said he hoped his blood would fall as “fruitful rain.” May his gentle words and brave witness nourish your prayer today.


MEMORIAL OF PAUL MIKI AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS


Today's readings: Genesis 1:1-19; Mark 6:53-56 (329).



Tuesday 7th February


How to help a good cause 


Six individuals are in line to become the first African-American saint: Sister Thea Bowman, Julia Greeley, Mother Mary Lange, Mother Henriette Delille, Father Augustus Tolton, and Pierre Toussaint. The first three have the title “servant of God,” indicating their canonization cause has been launched. The latter three have the title “venerable,” meaning the pope recognizes their heroic virtue. Next would come beatification, allowing candidates to be called “blessed”; it includes the church’s confirmation that they are in heaven—evidenced by at least two miracles from their intercession (unless they’re martyred). Finally, comes canonization. Learn about these six and seek their intercession year-round.


Today's readings: Genesis 1:20-2:4a; Mark 7:1-13 (330).


Wednesday 8th February


Saintly guidance to help end modern-day slavery


This day marks the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking—also the feast of the first and only black woman saint in modern times: the Sudanese nun Josephine Bakhita. Kidnapped into slavery as a child by Arab traffickers in the late 19th century, she was converted to Islam before eventually being left in the care of Canossian Sisters in Italy. Her freedom soon came, and she lived out her later life as a Catholic and eventually a nun. Today, an estimated 50 million people live in modern-day slavery. Christians are among the greatest combatants of the trade, and Saint Josephine was named the patron of survivors when she was canonized in 2000. May her faith continue to inspire those working to end the scourge, and may we join their efforts.


MEMORIAL OF JOSEPHINE BAKHITA, RELIGIOUS


Today's readings: Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-17; Mark 7:14-23 (331).

Thursday 9th February


Seeing Adam’s rib with fresh eyes 


Traditionally, today’s first reading has been used as a cudgel to keep women in divinely sanctioned inferiority. In the past century, scholars have looked differently at Genesis. Eve being created last doesn’t imply inferiority, they say; human creation came after the rest of creation and traditionally was seen as implying superiority (which is actually another idea now under question). Also, many say a “partner” for Adam would imply equal status. Scripture interpretation depends heavily on the culture and on who is doing the interpreting. May the Holy Spirit inspire each one of us to advance human dignity.


Today's readings: Genesis 2:18-25; Mark 7:24-30 (332).

Friday 10th February


Togetherness has its virtue


Saint Scholastica (480-543) is the patron of Benedictine nuns and sisters. Along with her brother Saint Benedict of Nursia, she helped establish a rule for monastic living that emphasized prayer, work, and peace. Contemporary Benedictine women continue to follow this ancient set of precepts. The vision of monastic life, as expressed in the 2022 Centennial Prayer of the Benedictine Federation of Saint Scholastica is to “see Christ at the heart of all creation and at the center of our common life” and “share the peace of Christ, show the love of Christ, and make Christ known in our world.” In what ways does your own life within family and community give witness to the peace and love of Christ?


MEMORIAL OF SCHOLASTICA, RELIGIOUS


Today's readings: Genesis 3:1-8; Mark 7:31-37 (333).


Saturday 11th February


Our hands, God’s hands 


Today is World Day of the Sick, an observation introduced by Pope John Paul II as a way for believers to serve those suffering from illnesses. “Because Your hands, which touch the suffering flesh of Christ,” said the sainted pope, “can be a sign of the merciful hands of the Father.” Today and every day we pray for and care for the sick in our lives. On this day last year Pope Francis stated, “The ministry of consolation is a task for every baptized person, mindful of the word of Jesus: ‘I was sick and you visited me.’”


Today's readings: Genesis 3:9-24; Mark 8:1-10 (334).

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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