The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Yesterday, people from across Scotland gathered for the Festival of Synodality, a day of prayer, reflection and conversation centred on what it means to journey together as the Church.

Through talks, workshops and conversations in the Spirit, participants explored how we can listen more deeply to one another, strengthen collaboration between clergy and laity, and recognise the gifts and talents present within our communities.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the day such a positive and hope-filled experience.

"There is hope for the Church. The Holy Spirit is working."

Sunday Reflection with Bishop Toal - 7 June 2026

Gospel
John 6:51-58
‘My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.’

At that time: Jesus said to the Jews, ‘I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live for ever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’
The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’
So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live for ever.’

Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary | 06 June 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

Gospel
Mark 12:38-44
‘This poor widow has put in more than everyone.’

At that time: In his teaching Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the market-places, and have the best seats in the synagogues, and the places of honour at feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and, for a pretence, make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.’
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’