Reflection –
Two short parables liken our desire for the kingdom of heaven to someone who finds a treasure in a field, or a merchant who finds a pearl of great value. Both work hard to acquire what they value. The dragnet resembles the earlier parable of the weeds, but the dragnet adds another dimension: the boat must be rowed to produce a catch. Disciples are to harvest souls: only God may judge good from bad.
Mass readings.
17th Sunday of the Year – A, July 25th & 26th 2026
1st Reading: 1 Kings 3:5-6a, 7-12
Responsorial Psalm. O Lord, how I love your law!
Second Reading: Romans 8:28-30
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia … I thank you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, you have revealed the secrets of the kingdom to little children………… Alleluia
Gospel: Matthew 13: 44-52
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PARISH UPDATES:
Mass Bookings. We are reminded that the booking of mass for our special intentions, wedding anniversaries, Birthday thanksgiving, Death anniversaries of our loved ones and general prayers is highly recommended. The mass stipends (Donations) are part of our contribution towards the good of the church and support of our priest. Please state the church you want mass said and the date. A week’s notice is advised.
Monthly Standing Orders – There are still a small number of parishioners paying a monthly standing order to the Bank of Scotland. As this account is closing this year, it’s important that you transfer your standing order across to the church’s Royal Bank of Scotland account. If you don’t have the details, please contact George, Parish Administrator on office.stcuthbertsedinburgh@staned.org.uk.
Publications – There are some back copies of the International Catholic Weekly, (The Tablet) in the porch. Feel free to help yourself to a copy. There are also a small number of Mass cards in the porch for sale.
ARCHDIOCESAN UPDATES
National Youth Pilgrimage – The National Youth Pilgrimage (for ages 18–35) will take place on Saturday 26 September 2026 at Pluscarden Abbey. This year’s pilgrimage will focus on religious and monastic life and will include a tour of the Abbey, a Q&A with the monks, talks on vocation, and a Vigil Mass with Archbishop Cushley. Young people are invited to travel with the Archdiocese. To register or enquire, please contact youth.office@staned.org.uk.
Altar Servers – The Annual Day for Altar Servers takes place on Saturday 5 September from 10:30am to 3:00pm at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh. Please speak to Fr [NAME] for details.
March for Life – travel offer – Travel to the March for Life in London for just £40 return. March for Life is the UK’s largest pro-life event, bringing together thousands of people for Mass, inspiring speakers, family and youth activities, and a peaceful march through central London. The Archdiocesan Pro-Life Office is offering a limited number of big-discount return train tickets to this year’s event on Saturday 5 September. Book early to secure your discounted ticket. Go to bit.ly/archtravel
Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage – This year’s pilgrimage takes place on Sunday 20 September at St Patrick’s Church in The Cowgate, Edinburgh. It’s the annual opportunity to come together to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair, entombed in the Sacred Heart chapel at St Patrick’s. Schedule: 12:30pm – Sale of candles & goods, refreshments; 1:30pm – Holy Hour (exposition and benediction); 3:00pm – Reflection from Canon Jock Dalrymple; 4:30pm – Mass celebrated by Archbishop Cushley (Homilist: Fr Michael John Galbraith).
World Youth Day 2027 – World Youth Day takes place in Seoul, South Korea, from 1-9 August 2027. Young adults are invited to travel with the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh: Departure 1 August and return on 9 August 2027. For more information email youth.office@staned.org.uk
Music for the Homeless Jesus – On Monday 17 August with the Schola Cantorum choir of St Mary’s Cathedral. This concert is inspired by Timothy Schmlaz’s ‘Homeless Jesus’ sculpture, located outside St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral. Part of Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts, the evening will contemplate homelessness and marginalisation through a programme of choral music that speaks of mercy, compassion, and hope. Tickets are £15 (£10 child) — book at bit.ly/4wttcCd
Brecbannoch Pilgrimage 2026 – A pilgrimage to pray for the renewal of the Faith in Scotland, from 31 July to 3 August, with a walk across the Isle of Mull, returning the relics of St Columba to Iona. Discounts are available for students and under-22s, and under-5s go free. Visit brecbannoch.co.uk
Season of Creation Conference – A day of inspiration, reflection and practical action to celebrate the Season of Creation. Saturday 5 September 2026, 10:00am – 3:00pm, Eyre Hall, Clyde Street, Glasgow, G1 4JY. The keynote speaker is Lorna Gold, Executive Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement. Register: bit.ly/SeasonofCreation26
Archdiocesan events – Events are listed at archedinburgh.org/events
Our Lady’s Offertory Collections.
Last Sunday’s collection: £98
Month total collections (Bank & Cash) £507
Special Collections: £358
Bank Total (month) £812
Mass Bookings.
We are reminded that the booking of mass for our special intentions, wedding anniversaries, Birthday thanksgiving, Death anniversaries of our loved ones and general prayers is highly recommended. The mass stipends (Donations) are part of our contribution towards the good of the church and support of our priest.
MASS TIMINGS
MASS INTENTIONS
MASS DONOR
Wednesday, July 29th, 10.00am
- George Burt - RIP
- Ian Somerville
Friday July 31st, 10.00am
- Paul McTweed
- Smart Family
Sunday, August 2nd, 11.30am
- Lydia & William de Luca
- Deanna & Gerry McCue
Blessings to you, your families and those who are dear to you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field
Matthew 13:44-52
At that time: Jesus said to the crowd: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
‘Have you understood all these things?’ They said to him, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’
Reflection on the 8th century Chalice
Jesus’ parables in today’s Gospel are wonderfully vivid because they are rooted in everyday life. One of them tells of a man who unexpectedly discovers a treasure hidden in a field. To modern ears this may sound rather unlikely, but in the ancient world it was far from unusual. Without banks or secure vaults, people often protected their wealth by burying it in the ground. Wars, invasions, illness or sudden death could mean that the owner never returned, leaving the treasure to be discovered years, or even centuries, later by someone else. Such finds have occurred throughout history, and some of the greatest treasures now displayed in museums were unearthed purely by chance.
One of the finest examples is the magnificent Ardagh Chalice, one of the greatest masterpieces of early medieval Irish Christian art. In September 1868, two local boys, Jim Quin and Paddy Flanagan, were digging potatoes on a small farm near the village of Ardagh in County Limerick, Ireland. As they worked, they struck a hidden hoard buried beneath the soil. Alongside the chalice lay four ornate brooches, a bronze drinking cup and several other precious objects dating from the eighth and ninth centuries. Historians believe the treasure had probably been concealed during the turbulent years of Viking raids, when monasteries were frequent targets for plunder. Someone carefully buried these sacred treasures, intending to return for them once the danger had passed. They never did.
The Ardagh Chalice itself is beautiful. Standing just under 18 centimetres high, it is assembled from more than 350 separate components. Gold, silver, bronze, brass, copper, enamel, amber and glass are all combined with astonishing technical skill. Delicate filigree, intricate Celtic interlace and finely engraved ornaments cover the surface. The Twelve Apostles are inscribed around the bowl. More than twelve centuries later, it remains one of the crowning achievements of early Christian metalwork anywhere in the world.
Jesus’ point, however, is that there is an even greater treasure waiting to be discovered. The Kingdom of Heaven is worth more than any precious object, however beautiful or valuable. Once the man in the parable recognised the worth of what he had found, everything else suddenly became secondary. He sold all he possessed with joy, not reluctance, because he knew he was exchanging lesser things for something infinitely greater.
