The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

🕊️PRAYER FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE

Pope Leo has appealed for a ceasefire and renewed dialogue in the Middle East, reminding the world that true peace can never be built through violence. In a time of deep suffering and uncertainty, we are called to stand in solidarity with all those affected by conflict not only in the Middle East but in every place where war and injustice persist.

As we reflect on his words, “Violence can never lead to the justice, the stability and the peace that peoples are awaiting,” we invite you to join us in prayer for the pursuit of peace. May hearts be softened, leaders be guided by wisdom, and pathways of diplomacy, dialogue, and just peace be opened where there is division.

🙏LET US PRAY:

God of peace and justice,
you created every human person in your image
and called us to live as one family.

We bring before you the people of the Middle East,
especially those living in fear, grief, and uncertainty.
Comfort the wounded, shelter the displaced,
and welcome those who have lost their lives into your mercy.

Soften hearts hardened by anger and hatred.
Inspire leaders to choose dialogue over destruction,
to seek justice over power,
and to work tirelessly for a lasting and just peace.

Strengthen all who build bridges of reconciliation,
who speak truth with courage,
and who refuse to give in to despair.

We pray, too, for all places torn by conflict across the world.
May violence give way to reconciliation,
division to unity,
and fear to hope.

Make each of us an instrument of your peace,
that in our words and actions
we may reflect your love in the world.
Amen.

Holy Mass of the Solemnity of Saint Joesph | 19 March 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

Saint Joseph was a simple manual worker, descended from the royal house of David, yet chosen by God to be the spouse of the Mother of God. Scripture says little about him, but it gives him a powerful title. He was a just man. This tells us he faithfully protected and guarded the greatest treasures on earth, Jesus and Mary.

One of the most painful moments of his life was discovering that Mary was with child. Yet in that trial his greatness was revealed. Trusting God completely, he became the quiet and trustworthy witness to the mystery of Christ’s birth. After this, he steps gently into the background of the Gospel story.

Tradition holds that he died before Jesus began his public ministry. His death is often described as the most beautiful, in the presence of Jesus and Mary. For centuries he remained hidden and little spoken of, but devotion to him grew especially from the fifteenth century onwards.

Today the Church honours him on 19 March and again on 1 May as patron of workers. He is also the patron of fathers, carpenters, social justice and of the dying.

In Joseph we see holiness lived in quiet faithfulness, humility and trust.

Scotland has spoken.

MSPs have voted 69 to 57 against the Assisted Dying Bill, following months of debate and careful consideration.

This decision reflects real concern for protecting the most vulnerable and ensuring that compassion is rooted in care, dignity, and support, never in ending life.

As highlighted in this report from The Tablet, the focus must now turn to strengthening palliative care and making sure it is properly funded and accessible to all who need it.

👉 Read more:


The Catholic Bishops of Scotland told MSPs they had “taken the correct and responsible course of action” after they voted against Assisted Dying by a majority

Gospel
John 5:17-30
‘For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.’

At that time: Jesus answered the Jews, ‘My Father is working even now, and I am working.’ This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgement to the Son, that all may honour the Son, just as they honour the Father. Whoever does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has eternal life. He does not come into judgement, but has passed from death to life.
‘Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgement, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgement.
‘I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgement is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.’