The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Today we celebrate the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.

Grandparents and older people are a precious gift to our families, our parishes and our communities. Their faith, wisdom and witness continue to inspire each new generation.

Join us this afternoon for Holy Mass, celebrated by Bishop John Keenan, at 3.00pm in Carfin Grotto as we celebrate this special day together.

Everyone is warmly welcome.
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Gospel
Matthew 13:44-46
‘He sells all that he has and buys that field.’

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.’

Saint James the Greater was one of the first disciples called by Jesus and belonged to the inner circle of the Apostles. He was the brother of Saint John the Evangelist and the son of Zebedee. While working as a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee alongside his father and brother, James heard Christ’s call and immediately left everything behind to follow Him.

Together with Peter and John, James enjoyed a unique closeness to Jesus. He was present at some of the most significant moments of the Lord’s ministry, including the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the Transfiguration, and Jesus’ prayer and agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The Gospels reveal James as a man of great enthusiasm and strong character. Along with his brother John, he sought a place of honour in Christ’s kingdom, demonstrating both ambition and a limited understanding of the nature of discipleship. Jesus used this moment to teach that true greatness is found not in power or status, but in humble service and self-sacrifice.

James and John were also given the nickname *“Sons of Thunder,”* reflecting their passionate and sometimes impulsive nature. On one occasion, when a Samaritan village refused to welcome Jesus, they suggested calling down fire from heaven upon it. Christ gently rebuked them, teaching them the way of mercy and patience.

Over time, James grew in faith and understanding, learning what it truly meant to follow Christ. Jesus had foretold that he would share in His suffering, and this prophecy was fulfilled when James became the first of the Apostles to give his life for the Gospel.

According to the Acts of the Apostles, King Herod Agrippa ordered James to be executed by the sword around the year 44 AD. His martyrdom made him the first of the Twelve Apostles to die for his faith in Christ.

Known as *James the Greater* to distinguish him from James the Lesser, Saint James is honoured as a courageous witness to the Gospel. He is also closely associated with the great pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, where tradition holds that his relics are enshrined, drawing pilgrims from around the world for centuries.

🇻🇦"IT IS NOT ATOMIC WEAPONS THAT GENERATE PEACE, BUT DISARMAMENT." - Pope Leo XIV

As global tensions rise and governments invest ever more heavily in weapons, Pope Leo XIV has issued a renewed call for nuclear disarmament in his book 'Disarmed and Disarming: Peace Is a Gift', released yesterday.

On Saturday 1st August, we invite you to join Christians from across Scotland at Faslane for our annual No to Nuclear Weapons Christian Peace Witness Vigil.

We'll gather alongside fellow Christian communities in prayer, reflection and peaceful public witness to affirm the Holy Father's message that genuine and lasting peace is built not on nuclear deterrence but on diplomacy, dialogue and disarmament.

🗓️Saturday 1st August
🕚 11.00am–12.30pm
📍 North Gate, HM Naval Base Clyde (Faslane)

🚌 FREE coach travel is available from Edinburgh and Glasgow (booking essential).
Pick up info:
🔹 Edinburgh: Waterloo Place (beside Waverley Station), departing 8.15am.
🔹 Glasgow: Gordon Street (outside Central Station), departing 9.30am.

📧To reserve your seat, email: [email protected]
Please include:
🔹Your name
🔹Pick-up point (Edinburgh or Glasgow)
🔹Number of seats required

🚆To make your own way to Faslane, take the train to Helensburgh Central and then the hourly 316 bus.

🕊Pope Leo also tells us in the preface to his book that "peace seeks witnesses." Will you be one of them with us next weekend?

Please share this invitation with your parish, friends and local community as we seek to gather as many people as possible to answer the Holy Father’s call.

Gospel
Matthew 13:18-23
‘The one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’