Father David Edwardson, Kelso

25/07/2026

A prayer for Saturday evening:

25/07/2026

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Gospel of the Day (Matthew 20,20-28)

The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
He said to her, "What do you wish?" She answered him, "Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom."
Jesus said in reply, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?" They said to him, "We can."
He replied, "My cup you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers.
But Jesus summoned them and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day/2026/07/25.html

25/07/2026

Today we celebrate the Feast of St James, Apostle:

Saint James the Greater was one of the first disciples called by Jesus. The son of Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of Saint John the Evangelist, James was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee before leaving everything to follow Christ. Together with Peter and John, he formed the inner circle of the apostles, witnessing key events such as the Transfiguration and Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. His passionate zeal earned him and his brother the title “Sons of Thunder.” After the Resurrection and Pentecost, James boldly preached the Gospel, according to tradition extending his mission as far as Spain. He became the first of the apostles to be martyred, executed by order of King Herod Agrippa around AD 44, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. Saint James is honoured as the patron saint of pilgrims, reminding Christians to follow Christ faithfully and courageously throughout life’s journey.

Prayer:

Lord God,
you accepted the sacrifice of Saint James,
the first of your apostles to give his life for your sake.
May your Church find strength in his martyrdom
and support in his constant prayer.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

24/07/2026

A prayer for Friday evening:

24/07/2026

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Gospel of the Day (Matthew 13,18-23)

Jesus said to His disciples: "Hear then the parable of the sower.
The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.
But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold."

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day/2026/07/24.html

24/07/2026

A prayer for Friday morning:

Lord Jesus, help me to guard the word you have planted in my heart that no doubt or temptation may keep me from believing and obeying you. May I be fruitful in your service and may I never fear to speak of you to others and to share with them the good news of the Gospel. Amen.

23/07/2026

A prayer for justice on Thursday evening:

23/07/2026

Today we keep the Feast of St Bridget of Sweden:

Saint Bridget of Sweden (c. 1303–1373), also known as Birgitta, was a wife, mother, mystic, and founder of the Bridgettine Order. Born into a noble family, she married Ulf Gudmarsson and together they raised eight children, including Saint Catherine of Sweden. After her husband’s death, Bridget devoted herself entirely to prayer, charity, and the reform of the Church. Renowned for her profound mystical visions, she received revelations concerning Christ’s Passion, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the renewal of Christian life. These visions were later compiled as the Revelations of Saint Bridget. She spent her final years in Rome, encouraging the Pope’s return from Avignon and promoting peace among Christian rulers. Bridget made pilgrimages to many holy places, including the Holy Land. She died in Rome on 23 July 1373 and was canonised in 1391. In 1999, Pope John Paul II declared her one of the co-patronesses of Europe, recognising her enduring witness to faith, holiness, and unity.

Prayer:

Lord our God,
as Saint Bridget contemplated your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
you revealed to her the mysteries of his passion.
Grant that we may rejoice, in time to come,
in the revelation of your glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

22/07/2026

A prayer for healing on Wednesday evening:

22/07/2026

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Gospel of the Day (John 20,1-2.11-18)

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him."
But Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb
and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been.
And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they laid him."
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" She thought it was the gardener and said to him, "Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him."
Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni," which means Teacher.
Jesus said to her, "Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and what he told her.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day/2026/07/22.html