The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Gospel
John 6:1-15
‘He distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.’

At that time: Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, ‘Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many?’ Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, ‘This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!’ Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

In Cameroon, Pope Leo XIV reminded the world that peace is not just a hope, but something we are called to live out each day.

Amid conflict and suffering, he urged us to reject division and choose a path rooted in love, justice, and unity because true peace must be lived, not just spoken. 

“Let us walk together in love, searching always for peace.”

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Cameroon yesterday as part of his Apostolic Journey across Africa. 🇨🇲

Welcomed with great warmth, this visit continues his mission of strengthening the Church, encouraging the faithful, and standing in solidarity with communities across the continent.

His journey includes stops in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.

St John the Baptist Church in Uddingston is hosting a Divine Renovation Open Day on 25 April. This is a free event.

Father James Mallon, the author of ‘Divine Renovation: Bringing Your Parish from Maintenance to Mission' and the founder of Divine Renovation, is travelling from Canada for the event.

Parishioners from St John the Baptist, who have organised a series of Alpha courses as part of the Wellspring initiative, will share their experience of how the parish is striving to evangelise, to be a missionary church, and to be a beacon of hope for God’s love.

The event, which runs from 9:30pm to 5pm at St John the Baptist, Uddingston will include a Mass celebrated by Bishop Toal.

All are welcome, and you can register at https://divinerenovation.org/calendar/open-house-scotland/

Gospel
John 3:31-36
‘The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.’

At that time: Jesus said to Nicodemus, ‘He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.’