The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Gospel
Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
‘See that you do not despise one of these little ones.’

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.
‘See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.’

August 9 is designated as International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

To celebrate this, our Diocesan Director for Motherwell Diocese, Fr Dominic Quinn, reflects on his time spent working amongst the indigenous peoples of Bolivia

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🎒 A new school year begins

Over the coming days, schools across Scotland will begin to return for a new academic year.

As pupils, teachers and staff prepare to return to the classroom, we keep all of our school communities in our prayers.

We pray especially for those beginning school for the very first time, those moving on to secondary school, and all those starting a new chapter in their education.

May the Lord bless our pupils, teachers, staff and families, and may the year ahead be filled with opportunities to learn, grow in faith and flourish.

🙏 St Thomas Aquinas, Patron Saint of Students and Catholic Education, pray for us.

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr, one of the most greatly venerated martyrs of the early Church.

Saint Lawrence served as one of the seven deacons of Rome under Pope Saint Sixtus II during the third century. As a deacon, Lawrence had particular responsibility for the Church’s material goods and for the care of the poor and those in need.

In the year 258, the Emperor Valerian ordered a persecution of the Church. Pope Sixtus II was arrested and martyred on 6 August. Just four days later, on 10 August, Lawrence also suffered martyrdom for his faith in Christ.

His witness made such a profound impression upon the early Christians that devotion to him spread rapidly throughout the Church.

One of the most famous traditions surrounding Saint Lawrence concerns the treasures of the Church. It is said that the Roman authorities, believing the Church possessed great material wealth, ordered Lawrence to surrender its treasures.

Lawrence asked for time to gather them.

Instead of presenting gold or silver, he gathered together the poor and those who depended upon the Church for help. Presenting them to the Roman authorities, Lawrence declared that these were the true treasures of the Church.

Tradition also holds that Lawrence was martyred by being burned upon a gridiron. While the precise circumstances of his death cannot be established with certainty, his martyrdom itself and the ancient devotion to him are firmly rooted in the life of the early Church.

A basilica was later built over his tomb in Rome, and San Lorenzo fuori le Mura – the Basilica of Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls – remains one of Rome’s great pilgrimage churches.

Saint Lawrence reminds us that the true riches of the Church are not found in possessions, but in Christ and in those whom He calls us to love and serve – particularly the poor, the vulnerable and those most in need.

May his courage strengthen us to remain faithful to Christ and his example inspire us to recognise and serve Christ in one another.

🙏 Saint Lawrence, pray for us.

Holy Mass of the Ninteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time | 09 August 2026
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