Reflection –
Who can kill the soul as well as the body? We usually assume this refers to Satan, but only God could kill the soul as well as the body. Jesus makes it clear that this is not God’s intention, because he tells us not to be afraid. God knows every hair on our heads: if not even a sparrow can fall to the ground without God knowing, how much more precious in God’s eyes are his children?
Mass readings.
12th Sunday of the Year (A) – Sunday 21st June
Order of Service for First Holy Communion
Entrance Hymn – ‘All People that on Earth do Dwell’ : 466
First Reading – Jeremiah 20:10-13
Responsorial psalm – In your great mercy, answer me O Lord
Second Reading – Romans 5: 12-15
Gospel Acclamation – ‘The Spirit of truth will bear witness about me, says the Lord, and you will also bear witness.’
Gospel – Matthew 10: 26-33
Offertory Hymn – ‘All that I am’ : 600
Communion Hymn – ‘Do not be afraid’ : 972
Recessional Hymn – ‘I will be with you’ : 866
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PARISH UPDATES:
Monthly Standing Orders – If you currently donate by monthly standing order to the Bank of Scotland, its 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 ask Audrey, Anthony or George. Our bank of Scotland account is closing later this year.
Funeral notification – Please be informed that the funeral of James Dudgeon will take place at Mortonhall Crematorium on the 27th June at 11.00am. Family flowers only. Donations to Mary’s Meals welcome. Our prayers are with Jim’s family and friends.
Encountering Jesus, Touching God – Are you a new Catholic, or simply wish to renew your faith? On Saturday 20 June come to a retreat day at The Gillis Centre,100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Special guest is Fr Lawrence Lew, global Promoter General for the Holy Rosary. This Archdiocesan event includes Mass, short talks, and time for prayer. Register at bit.ly/newcatholicsretreat
Consultation – Archbishop Cushley invites you to respond to consultation questions from the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland regarding the structures of the Church in Scotland. The consultation questions are online at bit.ly/archconsultation26. For context, please see the BCOS statement at bit.ly/bcosstatement. Responses must be submitted by Friday 26 June
Day for Life Collection Sunday 21 June – The Collection is split 50/50 between the Archdiocese and the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland. The Archdiocesan share will be used to support pro-life work covering issues at the beginning and end of life: the unborn and their mothers, the disabled, the elderly and the dying. This may include support for advocacy, education, pastoral care and formation in these areas, particularly in response to current developments and needs. In recent years, the Archdiocese has supported work including opposition to assisted suicide, protection of the unborn, post-abortion support, and the formation of young pro-lifers. More details at bit.ly/dayforlife26
A Tainted Legacy – A member of L’Arche reflects on the legacy of Jean Vanier at 7:30pm on Wednesday 24 June at Newington Trinity Church, 18 West Mayfield, Edinburgh, EH9 1TQ. Entry by donation (suggested £5). Organised by The Newman Association Edinburgh Circle.
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
Concert at the Cathedral – A renowned Australian choir sing a special choral Mass at 12:45pm on Wednesday 1 July in St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, with music by Widor, Sir James MacMillan, and Colin Mawby. Then at 7:30pm, the ensemble, from St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, perform a free concert at the Cathedral featuring music by Palestrina, Poulenc, MacMillan, and a world premiere by Australian composer Brooke Shelley. Come along for a rare opportunity to hear this acclaimed Australian Catholic choir in Scotland.
Our Lady’s Offertory Collections.
Last Sunday’s collection: £235
Month total collections (Bank & Cash) £435
Special Collections: £-
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, June 24th, 10.00am
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Friday June 26th, 10.00am
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Sunday, June 28th, 11.30am
- Stuart Fergusson
- Theresa Scott
Blessings to you, your families and those who are dear to you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
What I tell you in the dark, say in the light
Matthew 10:26-33
At that time: Jesus instructed his Apostles: ‘Have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father knowing. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.’
Reflection on the painting
In every human life there are things we don’t mind sharing in public and other things we prefer to keep strictly private. Some things we gladly share with others; other matters we speak of only among close friends or within the quiet of our homes, and some things we keep entirely to ourselves and share with no-one. Each person draws that line differently. What one person considers appropriate for open conversation, another may guard carefully as private. Some people reveal very little of themselves, while others speak freely and openly about almost everything. We sometimes feel that certain people hide too much, whilst others perhaps reveal too much.
In today’s Gospel, however, Jesus speaks of something that can never remain hidden. He says: “What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.” Christ is speaking about the Gospel itself: the Good News that He came to bring into the world. Faith is not meant to remain locked away in the private corners of our hearts. Jesus calls His disciples to stand openly with Him, not in an aggressive or boastful way, but with courage, joy and conviction.
And so the Gospel gently challenges us today: where does our faith belong? Is it something we keep almost entirely private, hidden away from daily life, work and conversation? Or does our faith quietly shape the way we speak, act, forgive, love and live in public? Christianity was never meant to be merely a hidden interior sentiment. True faith naturally shines outward, just as light cannot help but radiate from a flame.
Such light radiating from a flame gave birth in the 17th century to an entire artistic genre known as chiaroscuro, from the Italian words chiaro (light) and scuro (dark). Artists discovered that a single flame in a dark room could create extraordinary drama, depth and emotion. Light was no longer merely practical illumination; it became theological, symbolic and deeply spiritual, with the one source of light having a major impact on its surroundings. Great masters such as Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Georges de La Tour mastered this play between darkness and light beautifully. Our painting by Matthias Stom is a further beautiful example of this tradition.
We see Saint Peter seated quietly in prayer beside a small flame. The room around him is almost entirely swallowed by darkness, yet the candlelight gently illuminates his weathered face, his clasped hands, the folds of his robe, and even the open pages of Scripture and keys before him. The flame is small and fragile, yet it transforms the whole scene. Stom understood something deeply Christian: a tiny light can overcome immense darkness. Peter himself had known failure, fear and denial, yet here he appears transformed by prayer and grace. The light beside him becomes more than candlelight; it becomes the light of faith itself.
