Reflection –
Peter claims to have eaten and drunk with the Risen Lord. The Gospel says he is first to enter the empty tomb, but the Beloved Disciple is the first to believe. Our own Easter joy is complete when today, as beloved disciples, we eat and drink in faith-filled Communion together.
Mass readings.
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, 4th & 5th of April, 2026
1st Reading: Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Responsorial Psalm. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia. Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed; let us therefore celebrate the festival in the Lord. Alleluia
Gospel: John 20:1-9
Important Note: Please scroll within the below window to have access to daily readings for the Holy Catholic Mass. To keep scrolling down Our Lady’s newsletter, just scroll outside the window.
PARISH UPDATES:
Gift Aid – Gift Aid envelopes for the new tax year will be available from Sunday at the back of the church. We are very grateful for your contributions to the Parish of Our Lady Mother of the Church. The Church can claim back a significant amount of money when your gift aid envelopes are used, including the “special collection” and “Christmas and Easter” offerings. We ask, if possible, you continue to use these extra envelopes. If you wish to set up a standing order our bank details are as follows-
‘Our Lady Mother of the Church, sort code: 83-06-08, Acc no: 21271708
and then you only need to put in an envelope if there is a special collection.
Lourdes summer pilgrimage – There are some spaces available on the Archdiocesan Summer Pilgrimage to Lourdes for supported pilgrims and their carers, as well as nurses. Supported pilgrims are those who are ill, disabled or infirm, and they will fly out with the Archdiocese from Edinburgh and stay in the Saint Frai supported accommodation. Please email enquiries@edinburgh-lourdes.com. Demand for spaces on the plane for hotel pilgrims is high, but they can still take part in the pilgrimage. Contact Tangney Tours to be placed on a waiting list or to ask about alternative travel arrangements. Visit https://www.tangney-tours.com/
Save the Date – The annual Archdiocesan Mass for Married and Engaged Couples takes place at 7:00pm on Friday 19 June in St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh.
Young Adults Pilgrimage to Rome – The Edinburgh Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart invites Young Adults to join them on pilgrimage in Rome from 1 – 4 May 2026. Contact Fr David Stewart SJ at ejcyoungadults@jesuit.org.uk
Catechesis for First Holy Communion – Classes will start on the 25th April. If you would your child to attend, please fill in a request form you will find at the back of the church and hand it to Father Francis or one of the Passkeepers.
Our Lady’s Offertory Collections.
Last Sunday’s collection: £217
Month total collections (Bank & Cash) £1311
Special Collections: £254
Bank Total (month) £778
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, April 8th, 10.00am
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Thursday April 10th, 10.00am
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Sunday, April 12th, 11.30am
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Blessings to you, your families and those who are dear to you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Why look among the dead for someone who is alive?
John 20:1-9
It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’
So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed. Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
Reflection on the Fresco
The Lord is risen! Alleluia, alleluia!
Our fresco depicting the Resurrection is by Piero della Francesca and shows Christ as both man (the bleeding wounds) and God (the triumphant, sculptural pose). Jesus’ stern look aims straight at the viewer. By portraying Jesus as having one foot on the tomb, Piero della Francesca conveys how Christ conquered death. He is standing over four sleeping soldiers. The fresco should be read from left to right: the bare mature trees on the left now become (though the resurrection of Christ) the young, green, blossoming trees on the right. Also note the fertile landscape on the right compared to the left. The sleeping soldier in brown armour on Christ’s right is a self-portrait of the artist.
The flourishing trees on the right symbolise exactly what today’s feast is about: the renovation of humanity through the Resurrection of Christ. Today is a new birth for all of us. But this renewal in our hearts is a slow process. Whilst the resurrection is a seismic, game-changing event in our faith, the effects are slow to set in. Look at the disciples. Had they all believed immediately that Jesus had risen, everything would have been transformed there and then. But God works away silently. He is patient. He takes his time. To believe in the Resurrection is to chose a path of gradual growth – something that takes our whole life. Our faith is not the work of a single moment but the work of a lifetime.
