The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Gospel
John 10:31-42
‘They sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.’

At that time: The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?’ The Jews answered him, ‘It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Is it not written in your Law, “I said, you are gods”? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came — and Scripture cannot be broken — do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, “You are blaspheming,” because I said, “I am the Son of God”? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.’ Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.
He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptising at first, and there he remained. And many came to him. And they said, ‘John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.’ And many believed in him there.

The children of St Augustine’s Church Milton led the Stations of the Cross during the week, offering a prayerful and moving reflection on the journey of Christ’s Passion.

Through their narration and beautiful signing, they helped the congregation to enter more deeply into this time of Lenten prayer and reflection, supported by many from the parish community.

Gospel
John 8:51-59
‘Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day.’

At that time: Jesus said to the Jews, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.’ The Jews said to him, ‘Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, “If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.” Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, “He is our God.” But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.’ So the Jews said to him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.’ So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the Temple.

Last week, a Day of Prayer and Reflection was held alongside a Spring Coffee Morning, raising funds in support of the SCIAF Wee Box Lenten campaign for the people of Ethiopia at St. Vincent de Paul Parish East Kilbride.

Bringing together prayer, reflection and community, the event offered a meaningful way for parishioners to put their Lenten faith into action through generosity and solidarity with those most in need.

The Solemnity of the Annunciation centres on one extraordinary truth: God became one of us. As told in Luke 1:26 to 38, the eternal plan of God is fulfilled as the Son takes on our human nature. The Incarnation is the moment when heaven touches earth in love.

In accepting our humanity, Jesus embraces all creation and freely chooses a path of suffering and self giving love for our salvation. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Mary holds a unique place in this mystery. Chosen by God from all eternity to be the mother of his Son, she cooperates fully with grace. Her yes makes room for God to act. Everything she is and everything she does is the work of God’s grace within her.

United with her Son in obedience to the Father’s will, Mary becomes the link between heaven and earth. In her humility and trust, she shows what God’s grace can accomplish in a human life.

The Annunciation reminds us that the Incarnation is not only a moment in history. It reveals what God desires for all of us: to receive his love and reflect it in our ordinary lives.