THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (C)
GOD’S WORD FOR US TODAY
Reading 1: Nehemiah 8: 2-1, 8-10The Law offers direction for life. In today’s first reading God’s people celebrate its guidance for individuals and the community as a whole. This is also expressed beautifully in the Psalm that follows.
Resp to Psalm (18): You have the message of eternal life.
Reading 2: 1 Cor 12: 12-30 (Now you together are Christ’s body)
There are divisions in the churches to which Paul addresses this letter; so, Paul uses the example of the human body to show that this is dangerous. If the organs of the body compete with one another, the body weakens and may die. Each organ is equally important. The same is true for the Church and its members. We are one Body in Christ. Each one is equally important.
Gospel Acc: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
The Lord has sent me to bring the Good News to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives. Alleluia . . . .
Gospel : Lk 1: 1-4; 4:14-21 (Jesus shares his vision for his work. He says . . .
‘The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free, to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.’
This is still Jesus’ vision of his work, and he shares it with us today. Who do you think Jesus would have in mind today? How do you feel as you listen to him? How might different groups feel? People who are poor, or who feel marginalised or excluded? Single parents? Homeless People? Youth? Unemployed people? Share your thoughts and feelings with Jesus.
MASS TIMES
Tuesday Jan 25th 9:30 am Conversion of St Paul
End of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Thursday Jan 27th 9:30 am Funeral Mass for Jimmy Hutchison
Saturday Jan 29th 9:30 am Saturday of Week 3
Sunday Jan 30th 10:00 am Fourth Sunday of Liturgical Year C.
Liturgy of the Word for primary school children.
FROM THE DIOCESE: A PRIESTLY VOCATION?
The Catholic Church in Scotland is now inviting enquiries from those who find themselves thinking about the possibility of becoming a diocesan priest. If you find yourself considering this way of life, please contact Fr. Ross Campbell (Email: ross.campbell@rcag.org.uk; Phone: 0141-339-4315). Fr. Ross will advise you about Discernment Evenings that will help you begin to explore whether or not this is how God is calling you.
FROM THE PARISH
Covid and Social Distancing
Please continue to observe Covid-19 safe practices: Sanitise your hands; maintain one metre distance on entering and leaving the Church; wear masks; use only the assigned pews; allow the stewards to show you to your seat and invite you to the line for Communion. Thank you.
Children and the Liturgy
All children registered for this year’s sacramental preparation programme have received a Mass booklet to help them become familiar with the structure and prayers of the Mass. We ask parents to help the children use the booklet when they return from Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Thank you.
The Sick and Deceased
We continue to pray for our sick and housebound parishioners, relatives and friends. We remember those who have died recently, especially Jimmy Hutchison, James Alexander, Colleen Daly, Fr. Joseph Murphy, Canon Benedict O’Keefe (Paisley Diocese), Sam Murphy and May Smith; and those whose anniversaries occur at this time, especially Lily McColgin and Joe Reilly. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.
WEEK of PRAYER for CHRISTIAN UNITY
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity comes ends on Tuesday, the Feast of the conversion of St Paul. Paul’s conversion was one of the greatest in the Early Church. As a steadfast Jew, Saul was totally against those who accepted Jesus as the Messiah. He was on his way to destroy Christians when God intervened. You might want to read Paul’s account of this in Chapters 9 and 22 of the Acts of the Apostles, the book in the Bible that follows the four Gospels. Paul reckons that he should have been the last person to be chosen by God to spread the Christian message. But obviously God knew that Saul couldn’t turn his back on the truth, once he saw it.
This was a long and difficult journey for Paul. He spent about three years in prayer, study and conversations with the followers of Jesus as he prepared for the work of spreading the message about Jesus. But his name was so notorious that he had to win the trust of Christians. He was a great missionary, and his conversion shows that God can work with anyone who is open to the truth. Paul considered himself to be an Apostle, chosen by God, just like the twelve.
PARISH INCOME
Gift Aid: £186 Collection: £144
NEXT SUNDAY there will be a second collection for ASSISTED PARISHES. Believe it or not, this custom was begun by Saint Paul almost 2,000 years ago. As he went round the young Christian Churches he noticed that some of them, particularly in Palestine, had difficulty in surviving. So, he invited Churches to support one another. After all, we are all members of the one Body of Christ.