The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Gospel
Mark 7:14-23
‘The things that come out of a person are what defile him.’

At that time: Jesus called the people to him again and said to them, ‘Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.’ And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, ‘Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?’ Thus he declared all foods clean. And he said, ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.’

Gospel
Mark 7:1-13
‘You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.’

At that time: When the Pharisees gathered to Jesus, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, and when they come from the market-place, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches. And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?’ And he said to them, ‘Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.’
And he said to them, ‘You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! For Moses said, “Honour your father and your mother”; and, “Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.” But you say, “If a man tells his father or his mother, ‘Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban’ ” (that is, given to God) — then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.’

The Holy See has officially confirmed that the cause of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen may now proceed to beatification. The next step will be the celebration at which he will be declared Blessed.

Born in Illinois in 1895 and ordained for the Diocese of Peoria, Sheen became a well-known Catholic voice during the twentieth century. As a priest and later a bishop, he embraced the growing influence of radio and television to share the Gospel with a wide audience, most notably through his programme Life Is Worth Living. At a time when faith-based broadcasting was still developing, he demonstrated how modern media could be used thoughtfully and effectively in the service of Christ.

Rooted in a deep devotion to the Eucharist and to Our Lady, his ministry drew countless people into a deeper encounter with Jesus.

https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/us/fulton-sheen-beatification

Gospel
Mark 6:53-56
‘As many as touched it were made well.’

At that time: When they had crossed over, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognised him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the market-places and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

In this reflection for the Fifth Sunday of the Year, Bishop Joseph Toal prays the Angelus and speaks from St Bartholomew’s Church in Townhead, Coatbridge, where he has just celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Marking the World Day of Marriage, Bishop Toal reflects on the importance of marriage and family life in the Church and in society, asking the intercession of St Joseph for married couples and for those preparing to commit their lives in the Sacrament of Matrimony.

He also addresses the forthcoming assisted dying legislation in Scotland, encouraging Catholics to remain informed, engaged, and faithful to the Church’s teaching on the dignity and sanctity of human life.

As Lent approaches, Bishop Toal invites us to examine our relationship with God, to resist the pull toward self-determination, and to place our lives more fully in the Lord’s hands.