Gospel
Mark 8:14-21
‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.’

At that time: The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, ‘Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.’ And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, ‘Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?’ They said to him, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?’ And they said to him, ‘Seven.’ And he said to them, ‘Do you not yet understand?’

Meet Scotland’s Two Youngest Priests!

There is real hope for the Church in Scotland.

A recent feature highlights the stories of two of Scotland’s youngest priests, Fr Aidan Matheson of RC Diocese of Aberdeen and Fr Christopher Furmage of Motherwell Diocese, and their journeys to ordination and ministry.

At a time when vocations are often spoken about with concern, their witness is a reminder that the Lord continues to call, and young men continue to respond with generosity and courage.

Their stories reflect the quiet strength of parish life, faithful families, and the ongoing work of discernment supported by our dioceses across Scotland.

We encourage you to take a few minutes to read this uplifting piece and keep praying for vocations to the priesthood.

Read the full article below by clicking below 👇


In a land long marked by reformation, suppression and the erasure of Catholic life, clergymen stand as powerful witnesses to a Church not merely surviving, but hopeful and unmistakably alive.

Gospel
Mark 8:11-13
‘Why does this generation seek a sign?’

At that time: The Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, ‘Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.’ And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.

Lent is not simply about giving something up.

In his Lenten Message, Pope Leo XIV invites us to something deeper: to place God back at the centre of our lives, to listen more attentively, to fast with intention, and to walk this journey together as a community.

He reminds us that listening is the beginning of every relationship, that fasting reshapes our desires, and that even our words can either wound or heal.

As we begin this Lenten season, let us ask for the grace to be attentive to God, to one another, and to those whose cry often goes unheard.

May this be a Lent that truly transforms us.

#Lent2026 #PopeLeoXIV #LentenJourney #CatholicChurch

Gospel
Matthew 5:17-37
‘It was said to those of old; but I say to you.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
‘You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, “You fool!” will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
‘It was also said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.” But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
‘Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.” But I say to you: Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply “Yes” or “No”; anything more than this comes from evil.’