Reflection – The first part of this text is also found in Luke. The second part is unique to Matthew.
What comforting words! ‘Come to me all you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest.’ The background may lie in Matthew’s desire to boost the confidence of a community of Jewish converts to Christianity who have suffered horrendously at the hands of the leadership of their former community. By contrast, Jesus’ yoke is easy, his burden light.
Mass readings.
14th Sunday of the Year – A, July 4th & 5th 2026
1st Reading: Zechariah 9:9-10
Responsorial Psalm. I will bless your name forever, my God and King.
Second Reading: Romans 8:9, 11-13
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 11: 25-30
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:
Special Collection – This weekend Sunday, 4/5th July, there will be a Special Collection for Peter’s Pence
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.
Monthly Standing Orders – If you currently donate by monthly standing order to the Bank of Scotland, 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. Our Bank of Scotland accounts are closing later this year.
Paul McTweed – Sadly Paul McTweed, well known in both our parishes, passed away on the 20th June. Paul’s funeral mass will be at St, Cuthbert’s on the 7th July at 11am and then onto Mortonhall Crematorium, Pentland Chapel at 12.30pm.
Coffee Morning – Please note that there will be teas & coffee after Mass on Sunday 12th July.
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
Congratulations – Congratulations to Fr Matthew McCafferty who was ordained to the priesthood on Friday at St Mary’s in Bathgate. He will continue a further year of study in Rome before returning to minister in the Archdiocese. Please keep him in your prayers.
Sea Sunday – Sea Sunday is on 12 July and the Church encourages us to support Stella Maris, a Catholic charity helping seafarers in need, including at port destinations in our Archdiocese. There will be a special collection at all Masses. Read more about its work at: archedinburgh.org/news
Lourdes Pilgrimage Welcome Mass – In preparation for the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes (10-17 July), there will be a Mass in St Cuthbert’s, Slateford Road, Edinburgh, this Sunday (5 July) to which all are welcome. Please note this Mass will be at 3:30pm, half an hour later than previously notified.
Discover Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) with Sr Miriam Ruth, RSM – Learn about this programme wherein children listen, wonder, and talk to God by focusing on Jesus & the Sacraments. Sessions are for current parish volunteers, parents, clergy, or anyone else interested. 2:00pm on Tuesday 7 July at 100 Strathearn Rd EH91BB or online at 7:00pm. Register: https://forms.office.com/e/j5MdeaAx4K
Volunteers for children’s catechesis needed – Eight volunteers willing to be trained in a meditative, wonder-driven, and sacramentally-focused form of children’s catechesis (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd) are needed to help this programme continue in Edinburgh city centre and begin in both east and west parts of the city. Email srmiriam.ruth@staned.org.uk to discuss your interest & register for an info session on Tuesday 7 July: https://forms.office.com/e/j5MdeaAx4K
Visit of relics of St Gerard Majella – The relics of St Gerard Majella will be at St Patrick’s Church, The Cowgate, Edinburgh, on Saturday 18 July. Entrance of the relics at 10:00am with devotions and talk, Exposition of Blessed Sacrament at 11:30am. Mass at 12:30pm followed by blessing with the relics.
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
Archdiocesan events – Events are listed at archedinburgh.org/events
Our Lady’s Offertory Collections.
Last Sunday’s collection: £245
Month total collections (Bank & Cash) £847
Special Collections: £207
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 8th, 10.00am
- Paul McTweed
- Helen & Allan
Friday July 10th, 10.00am
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Sunday, July 12th, 11.30am
- Tadhg Ryall - RIP
- Jennie & Paul Hulse
Blessings to you, your families and those who are dear to you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
No one knows the Son except the Father
Matthew 11:25-30
At that time Jesus declared, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
Reflection on the painting
If we were asked to identify the greatest treasures in our lives, most of us would place people near the very top of the list. Family members, close friends, those who have accompanied us through life’s joys and sorrows… these are the relationships that give meaning and depth to our lives. Material possessions have their place, but it is human relationships that truly sustain us.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of the most precious relationship of all: His relationship with His heavenly Father. He describes it as a profound mutual knowing: “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son.” In the language of Scripture, to know someone is far more than simply to possess information about them; it means to be united in love.
Yet this divine relationship is not closed in on itself. God’s desire is not to keep the love between Him and His Son to Himself, but to draw us into it. There is an important lesson here for our own friendships and relationships. Deep friendships are among God’s greatest gifts, and there is nothing wrong with having a small circle of people to whom we are especially close. Yet authentic friendship should never become exclusive or closed in on itself. True friendship expands the heart rather than narrowing it. Just as the love between the Father and the Son overflows towards others and invites others into that communion, so our friendships should make us more welcoming, more generous and more attentive to those around us. The strongest friendships are not those that build walls around themselves, but those that become a source of encouragement, hospitality and kindness for others. Love, by its very nature, is always seeking to be shared.
Our painting today is The Dancing Couple by the great Dutch artist Jan Steen, painted in 1663. At first glance it appears to be a lively family celebration, full of laughter, music and movement. Beneath a vine-covered arbour, a young man leads his dancing partner by the hand into the centre of the scene. Around them gathers an entire community. Friends sit around a long table sharing food and drink. Musicians play the violin and flute. Children play with their toys and watch the festivities unfold. Neighbours chat across a wooden fence. Even figures lean from the windows of the house to join in the merriment.
What makes the painting so appealing is that no one is isolated. It depicts friendships shared. Not friendships closed in on themselves. Everyone is welcome to share in the festivities. The painting becomes a celebration not simply of romance, but of friendship, family life and community. Yet Steen also reminds us that earthly joys are fleeting. Scattered in the foreground are broken eggshells, cut flowers and other objects that seventeenth-century viewers would have recognised as symbols of life’s transience. The message is subtle: cherish the gift of friendship and family while you have them, because these moments do not last forever.
