Reflection –
An easily recognisable feature of Matthew’s gospel is Jesus’ authentic teaching. Matthew presents five blocks of teaching, and this is the first extract from the first and most famous of these: the Sermon on the Mount. Moses had climbed Mount Sinai to receive God’s Law, God’s teaching. Jesus climbs this Galilean mountain (hill) to teach the true meaning of God’s Law. Through the beatitudes in today’s gospel, he summarises to whom the kingdom of God belongs.
Note: For a beautiful reflection on this painting please click here. Christian Art is a website that offers a pathway to grow closer to God through the beauty of art and the Gospel, founded by Father Patrick van der Vorst, a Roman Catholic priest for the Diocese of Westminster, London.
Mass readings.
4th Sunday of the Year – Year A -31st January & 1st February 2026
1st Reading: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13
Responsorial Psalm. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia,Alleluia…Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven …. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12a
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PARISH UPDATES:
Catholic Families for Life – The latest Catholic Families for Life Newsletter from the National Commission for Marriage, Family and Life is now available at www.marriagefamilyandlife.org.uk
Stations of the CrossThe Archdiocese hosts online Stations of the Cross each Monday in Lent. The first one is on Monday 23 February at 7:45pm and will feature a reflection from Archbishop Leo. The annual event is to pray for unborn children, their mothers and all pro-life intentions. Register at bit.ly/stations26
Valentine’s Day afternoon retreat – This Valentine’s Day (Saturday 14 February) couples are invited to join the Archdiocese’s afternoon retreat reflecting on the Gift of Marriage. It takes place 2pm-5pm at St Kentigern’s Church, 26-28 Parkgrove Avenue, Edinburgh, EH4 7QR and is led by renowned Scottish Catholic playwright Stephen Callaghan and wife Rachel. Details and registration at bit.ly/archretreat26
Catechists for Special Needs – SPRED (Special Religious Development) groups need more catechists! Your role will be share the Lord with adults with special needs at fortnightly term-time meetings. Catechists are trained by the Archdiocese and meet fortnightly for preparatory sessions. Interested? Contact Sr Mary Benedicta Maier RSM, SPRED Coordinator, at srmary.benedicta@staned.org.uk to serve.
SPRED: Sacramental Prep & Faith Formation for Children and Adults with Special Needs – Children and adults with special needs are invited to participate more fully in the life of the Church by being welcomed into a SPRED (Special Religious Development) group. If you are interested in your child or adult son or daughter participating, Sr Mary Benedicta Maier RSM, SPRED Co-ordinator, would love to hear from you at srmary.benedicta@staned.org.uk.
Youth Helpers for the Annual Lourdes Pilgrimage – Applications are now open for Youth Helpers (Age 16-30) for this years Lourdes Pilgrimage. Forms are at the back of the Church detailing requirements with the application process closing 15th February. There is support funding of £500 available with the balance to be raised by the applicant. If you have any questions, please ask Angela Allan.
The 60th Anniversary Celebration of our church on 15th March is fast approaching! We are planning to have a celebration after mass at Gibson Craig Halls (5 min. walk) with a free buffet for the parishioners. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are free and you would like to attend by writing down your name on the sheet at the back of the church. If you would like to be involved in the entertainment please let Norma know at normamitchell5237@gmail.com
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
New Website – Don’t forget to visit the new parish website – feedback to Kevin or George
Our Lady’s Offertory Collections.
Last Sunday’s collection: £224.
Month total collections (Bank & Cash) £793
Special Collection (Justice & Peace) £197
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, February 4th 10.00am
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Friday February 6th 10.00am
Thomas & Frances Gordon – anniversary remembrance
Irene
Sunday, February 8th 11.30am
Julie Turner (RIP)
Kay Sibbald
Blessings to you, your families and those who are dear to you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Blessed are the poor in spirit
Matthew 5:1-12a
At that time: Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.’
Reflection on the sculpture
When we see a great sculpture, we instinctively want to move around it. We want to see it from all angles. We want to see what it looks like from myth front, the sides, the back. Some sculptures invite that more than others. Michelangelo’s Pietà, for all its beauty, must be viewed from a single vantage point, protected behind glass. We can;’t see the sides or the back (though one wish I have is to see it one day from all sides). Other sculptures, however, allow us to circle around them slowly, revealing their richness layer by layer, angle by angle.
I often think of the Beatitudes as just such a sculpture: not carved in marble, but in words. In this finely chiselled text, Jesus offers a portrait of the human person as God intends us to be. In fact, he is also revealing something of himself, for he alone is the perfect image of what humanity is meant to become. The Beatitudes are as such a kind of sculpture of Jesus himself, to be admired from all angles. He is not describing eight different people in the Beatitudes with eight different qualities. He is presenting one life, one way of being, seen from eight different angles! Each Beatitude turns the figure slightly, showing another facet of discipleship, a life so rich that it cannot be captured in a single description. That is why “blessed” is a better word than “happy”: this is not about fleeting emotion, but about living a life open to grace and destined for joy.
As we slowly walk around this portrait, we begin to recognise its coherence. Poverty of spirit leads to gentleness; sensitivity to the world’s brokenness gives rise to mourning; mourning awakens a hunger for justice; justice flowers into mercy. Purity of heart keeps intention focused on God rather than self. Etc… But Jesus is being honest: this way of life will not always be applauded. It may lead to loss, misunderstanding, even suffering. But it is the only way that will ultimately align our lives with the very heart of God.
Cloud Gate (also affectionately known as “The Bean”) is a monumental stainless-steel sculpture by Sir Anish Kapoor, installed in Chicago’s Millennium Park in 2006. Its mirror-polished steel surface reflects the city skyline, the sky, and everyone who approaches it, bending reality into a constantly shifting image. This is not a sculpture you see from a single viewpoint. It demands that you move beneath it, into the concave underside Kapoor calls the omphalos (Greek for “navel”), where reflections multiply and turn the viewer into part of the artwork itself. Seen from every angle, above and below, the sculpture refuses a single viewpoint.
