The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Gospel of the day (Mark 2:13-17)

At that time: Jesus went out again beside the lake, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed him.

And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’

Gospel of the day (Mark 2:1-12)

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralysed man carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralysed man lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralysed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ‘Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, ‘Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralysed man, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Rise, take up your bed and walk”? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’ — he said to the paralysed man — ‘I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.’ And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this!’

Holy Mass of Thursday of the First Week of Ordinary Time | 15 January 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

✝️HOLY LAND COORDINATION 2026

🛩️Justice & Peace Scotland is preparing to travel to the Holy Land tomorrow as part of the Holy Land Coordination 2026. Archbishop Nolan, our President, and Anne-Marie Clements, our Catholic Social Teaching Engagement Officer, will join bishops from across Europe and North America in Jerusalem for the annual gathering.

📸The photos shared here from last year’s visit capture some of the people we met and the places we encountered.

🙏The work of the Holy Land Coordination is rooted in four interrelated pillars: Presence, Prayer, Pilgrimage, and Pressure. Through these, the bishops seek to stand in solidarity with local Christians, to pray with them, to encourage pilgrimages that sustain their communities, and to advocate for dignity and equal rights for all people in the region.

🕊️The theme for the 2026 visit is “A Land of Promise: Encounter and Dialogue with People of Hope.” Throughout the week, the programme will focus on meeting people living in Palestine and Israel and listening closely to their lived realities.
Our visit will include time with Christian communities in Israel and the West Bank, as well as meetings with church leaders, interfaith organisations, and peace advocacy groups.

📝As we did in 2025, we will be sharing reflections and updates through our “Journals from Jerusalem” series. We look forward to sharing these stories of hope, as they are told first-hand, over the coming week. Please keep an eye out for updates and photographs.

As households across Scotland continue to feel the pressure of rising costs, many people may be missing out on financial support they are entitled to.

Social Security Scotland delivers 17 different payments supporting families on low incomes, disabled people, pensioners, unpaid carers, and young people starting work. Support is also available for heating costs and funeral expenses.

This includes:
• Scottish Child Payment (£27.15 per week per child)
• Disability Payments (up to £110.40 per week for those aged 66+)
• Carer Support Payment (£83.30 per week)
• Job Start Payment (£319.80 one-off payment)

Advice Direct Scotland warns that millions of pounds in benefits go unclaimed each year.

You can check your eligibility for free at benefits.advice.scot or call 0808 800 9060.

Taking a few minutes to check could make a real difference.