The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Pope Leo's prayer intention for July 2026

For respect for human life
Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognising it as a gift from God.

Gospel
Matthew 8:18-22
‘Follow me.’

At that time: When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. And a scribe came up and said to him, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ Another of the disciples said to him, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.’

Saint Peter was originally called Simon, a fisherman from Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus gave him the name Peter, meaning “Rock”, and chose him to lead the Apostles. Peter was among Christ’s closest followers, witnessing key moments such as the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden. Though he famously denied Jesus during the Passion, he repented and became a humble and courageous leader of the early Church. After Pentecost, he preached boldly, welcomed the first Gentile converts, and eventually travelled to Rome, where he became its first bishop. He was martyred there around 67 AD and is remembered as the first Pope.

Saint Paul, originally known as Saul, was born in Tarsus and raised as a devout Pharisee. A fierce persecutor of Christians, his life changed dramatically when he encountered the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. Following his conversion, Paul dedicated himself completely to spreading the Gospel. Through three major missionary journeys, he founded Christian communities across Asia Minor and Europe, bringing the message of Christ to countless people. He wrote many letters to the early churches, which form a significant part of the New Testament. After years of preaching and missionary work, Paul was imprisoned in Rome and was martyred around 67 AD.

Together, Saints Peter and Paul are honoured as the two great pillars of the Church: Peter, the leader of the Apostles, and Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. Their witness, faith, and sacrifice helped establish and spread Christianity throughout the world.

All are welcome to come together in prayer at Holy Mass for the people of Venezuela on Sunday 5 July at 12 noon in St Leonard's Church, East Kilbride.

The Mass will be celebrated in Castellano (America Latina) and offers an opportunity to gather in prayer and solidarity with all those affected by the recent earthquake.

Please keep the people of Venezuela and all those impacted by this tragedy in your prayers.

Gospel
Matthew 8:5-17
‘Many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’

At that time: When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, ‘Lord, my servant is lying paralysed at home, suffering terribly.’ And he said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ But the centurion replied, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, “Go”, and he goes, and to another, “Come”, and he comes, and to my servant, “Do this”, and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this, he marvelled and said to those who followed him, ‘Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ And to the centurion Jesus said, ‘Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.’ And the servant was healed at that very moment.
And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.’