The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Gospel
John 15:1-8
‘Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch, and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.’

Apart from the Blessed Virgin Mary, few women hold such an honoured place in the Gospels as Saint Mary Magdalene. Despite this, she has often been misunderstood. For centuries, a tradition developed identifying her with the unnamed sinful woman who anointed the feet of Jesus. However, modern biblical scholarship recognises that there is no clear scriptural evidence linking the two figures.

Mary Magdalene, whose name indicates that she came from Magdala, is introduced in the Gospel as a woman from whom Jesus cast out “seven demons” (Luke 8:2). Rather than suggesting a sinful past, this expression is generally understood to refer to severe suffering, illness, or spiritual affliction from which she was healed through Christ’s compassion and power.

Following this encounter, Mary became one of Jesus’ most devoted disciples. The Gospels describe her as one of the women who supported Jesus and the Apostles through their own resources and accompanied them throughout His ministry. Her gratitude and faithfulness remained steadfast even during the darkest moments of Christ’s Passion.

Mary Magdalene stood at the foot of the Cross when many others had fled. She witnessed the Lord’s crucifixion, burial, and, most significantly, became the first person to encounter the risen Christ on Easter morning. Entrusted with the news of the Resurrection, she was sent by Jesus to announce it to the Apostles.

Because of this unique mission, Mary Magdalene has been given the title “Apostle to the Apostles.” Her life is a powerful witness to the transforming mercy of Christ, faithful discipleship, and the hope of the Resurrection. Through her example, the Church honours a woman whose unwavering love and loyalty placed her at the heart of the Gospel story.

Gospel
Matthew 12:46-50
‘Stretching out his hand towards his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers and sisters!” ’

At that time: While Jesus was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers and sisters stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers and sisters?’ And stretching out his hand towards his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers and sisters! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’

Gospel
Matthew 13:24-30
‘Let both grow together until the harvest.’

At that time: Jesus put another parable before the crowd, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?” He said to them, “An enemy has done this.” So the servants said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?” But he said, “No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, ‘Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’ ” ’

Gospel
Matthew 12:1-8
‘The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.’

At that time Jesus went through the cornfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck ears of corn and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.’ He said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the Temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the Temple is here. And if you had known what this means, “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice”, you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.’