5th Sunday of Ordinary time

Today in the Gospel we hear about the miraculous haul of fish.



Follow me, follow me, leave your home and family,
leave your fishing nets and boats
upon the shore.
Leave the seed that you have sown,
Leave the crops that you’ve have grown,
leave the people you have known and follow me.

Foxes have their holes
and the swallows have their nests,
but the Son of Man has no place to lay down.
I do not offer comfort,
I do not offer wealth,
But in me will all happiness be found.

Follow me, follow me, leave your home and family,
leave your fishing nets and boats
upon the shore.
Leave the seed that you have sown,
Leave the crops that you’ve have grown,
leave the people you have known and follow me.

If you would follow me,
you must leave old ways behind.
You must take my Cross and
follow on my path.
You may be far from loved ones,
you may be far from home,
but my Father will welcome you at last.

Follow me, follow me, leave your home and family,
leave your fishing nets and boats
upon the shore.
Leave the seed that you have sown,
Leave the crops that you’ve have grown,
leave the people you have known and follow me.

Although I go away,
you will never be alone,
for the Spirit will be there to comfort you.
Though all of you may scatter,
each follow his own path,
still the Spirit of love will lead you home.

Follow me, follow me, leave your home and family,
leave your fishing nets and boats
upon the shore.
Leave the seed that you have sown,
Leave the crops that you’ve have grown,
leave the people you have known and follow me.

Michael Cockett (b.1938)

Happy Sunday!

Stirling Castle - 16

Inside the Museum, pride of place is given to this magnificent portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Today is the 58th Anniversary of her accession to the throne. I am certainly looking forward to the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.



A Prayer for the Queen's Majesty

O Lord our heavenly Father,
high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes,
who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth;
most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour
to behold our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth;
and so replenish her with the grace of thy Holy Spirit,
that she may alway incline to thy will, and walk in thy way:
endue her plenteously with heavenly gifts;
grant her in health and wealth long to live;
strengthen her that she may vanquish and overcome all her enemies;
and finally, after this life, she may attain everlasting joy and felicity;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The National Anthem

God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and Glorious,
Long to reign over us;
God save the Queen!

Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour;
Long may she reign;
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the Queen!

THERE WILL BE A 21 GUN SALUTE AT EDINBURGH CASTLE AT 12 NOON TODAY

Stirling Castle - 15

The main square of Stirling Castle is made up of the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal, the Royal Palace, and finally the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum.



Be sure to visit this museum when you visit the Castle - it is quite a rabbit warren, and contains some fascinating exhibits.

Stirling Castle - 14

Directly opposite the Chapel Royal is the Royal Palace.



The Palace is being renovated at present, but I am assured it will be truly stunning when it is reopened to the public in 2011.

Stirling Castle - 13

Here we see the Chapel Royal laid out for a festive meal.



The Chapel Royal offers an area for dining for smaller groups or can be used for pre dinner drinks for groups dining in the Great Hall.

As well as dinners and receptions the Chapel Royal, with its large stage, provides an ideal setting for concerts and presentations.

Candlemas Day

Today is 40 days since Christmas Day, and so we celebrate the Presentation of Christ in the Temple.



Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant light:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Though an Infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father’s throne,
Gather all the nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

James Montgomery (1771-1854)

Happy Feast!

Stirling Castle - 12

Although the Chapel Royal is quite plain, it is brightened up by some colourful tapestries which hang on the North Wall.



These tapestries do not depict Biblical scenes - they are secular in nature.