Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Wednesday 22 July 2026Today is Wednesday the 22nd of July, the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, in the 16th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing Laetetur cor quaerentium: ‘Let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice; seek the Lord and be strengthened, seek his face always.’ Entering into prayer today, I too am seeking the Lord, seeking his face, looking for the signs of his presence in my life, gently guiding me in truth and peace and love. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John. John 20:1-2, 11-18 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her. In the darkness of early morning, Mary Magdalene visits the tomb of Jesus. What she encounters there causes her anxiety and confusion. Her world feels broken. It seems that Jesus has been taken from her. What are the moments in life today that leave you feeling lost or distant from Jesus? What small thing might you do to reach out to someone who needs hope, reassurance or faith? Only when Jesus speaks her name does Mary recognise him. Imagine Jesus speaking your name. How does he say it? Is his voice loud or soft, challenging or tender – or something else? As you hear the passage again, stand with Mary and experience meeting the risen Christ with her. John 20:1-2, 11-18 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her. As this time of prayer comes to a close, give thanks for Mary Magdalene and ask God to fill you with courage and faith to say boldly: ‘I have seen the Lord.’ Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Tuesday 21 July 2026Today is Tuesday the 21st of July, in the 16th week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach with the Porter’s Gate sings, ‘God is Nothing but Love’. Are these words you could say about God? God is nothing but love God is nothing but love Dare to give all for love Give yourself without fear God is nothing but love Today’s reading is from the Prophet Micah. Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that belongs to you, which lives alone in a forest in the midst of a garden land; let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old. As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, show us marvellous things. Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger for ever, because he delights in showing clemency. He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and unswerving loyalty to Abraham, as you have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old. The prophet Micah recalls the way God rescues, leads, guides and cares for God’s people. Here is a God of compassion and mercy, who walks faithfully with us through life’s joys and sorrows. How do you experience God guiding and caring for you and your community? What ‘marvellous things’ have you seen the Lord do? Recall moments when God has surprised you with unexpected grace, provision or love. Micah recalls that God delights in exercising forgiveness and mercy. God casts our sins into the depths of the sea. From what do you need to be released? Humbly offer this to God. Imagine God carrying this burden for you and taking it far away. Accept the release, forgiveness and love God offers you. As you hear the words of scripture read again, ponder what it means to live as one who is forgiven. Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that belongs to you, which lives alone in a forest in the midst of a garden land; let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old. As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, show us marvellous things. Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger for ever, because he delights in showing clemency. He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and unswerving loyalty to Abraham, as you have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old. As this prayer time comes to a close, rest securely in the truth of God’s faithfulness and love for you. Know that God will never let you go. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Monday 20 July 2026Today is Monday the 20th of July, in the 16th week of Ordinary Time. The Convivium Singers sing Margaret Rizza’s setting of the Benedictus: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel! He has visited his people and redeemed them. He has raised up for us a mighty saviour in the house of David his servant, as he promised by the lips of holy men, those who were his prophets from of old." Today’s reading is from the Prophet Micah. Micah 6:1-4, 6-8 Hear what the Lord says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel. ‘O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. ‘With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’ He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? In today’s passage, the prophet Micah brings the voice of God to God’s people. They are reminded of how God rescued them from slavery in Egypt, leading them to freedom and settling them in a new place. Recall your walk with God. How has God rescued you? How does God sustain, guide and lead you today? Give thanks for these times. Micah tells the people that God longs for them to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God. Where are you being called to act more justly? Where does your heart need to soften for kindness and compassion to grow? What would it mean for you to walk more humbly with God this day? As you listen to the passage again, focus on this question: What does the Lord require of you? Micah 6:1-4, 6-8 Hear what the Lord says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel. ‘O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. ‘With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’ He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? As this time of prayer comes to a close, rest in God’s presence. Ask for grace to live justly, kindly and humbly today. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Sunday 19 July 2026Today is Sunday the 19th of July, beginning the 16th week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing 'Mon âme se repose en paix sur Dieu seul': Only in God does my soul find rest. Recognising that you are in the presence now of that same God, the only one in whom we can truly find rest, place yourself in God’s loving hands. Today’s reading is from Saint Paul's Letter to the Romans. Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. As we listen to this passage, notice the invitation to the Sabbath. We don’t have to come before God with perfect words, clear thoughts, or settled hearts. The Spirit is already with us, in all our weakness. What does this assurance mean to you? As you reflect, become aware of whatever you are carrying into this day - fatigue, gratitude, hope, distraction. There is no need to check these feelings. Bring them honestly before God. St Paul reminds us that even when we cannot say what is happening within us, the Spirit is praying in us and for us. We may call on the intercession of the saints for our needs, but, with the Spirit nothing – named or unnamed – is hidden. The Spirit gathers all our desires from our heart. As you listen to the passage again, be reassured. Rest is not merely stopping work - it is letting go of the need to hold on to everything. You don’t have to seek out a spiritual experience. Simply be, and be aware - the Spirit is already at work. Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. “We do not know how to pray as we ought.” Take time to place yourself beside the Lord attentive and unhurried. Trust in the Spirit to carry those unspoken desires like a gentle breath on this Sabbath day. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Saturday 18 July 2026Welcome to the Saturday Examen. For today’s examen, begin by placing yourself in God’s presence. We have been reminded this week of God’s desire to be close to us. Take this opportunity to step closer to the Lord. Prepare yourself for prayer by focusing on your breath. Notice how the rhythm of your breathing brings stillness and an awareness of God’s presence. We might begin by asking for the wisdom and openness that also weave throughout the scripture for this week. Cast your mind back over the week… where have you experienced this need for the Lord, a call to witness, or a generosity of spirit? Many of the readings this week have spoken about vulnerability and humility. Have your actions this week reflected your faith? Have there been times you have resisted God's invitation to change? Is there a particular moment God is drawing you to remember? Notice what rises to the surface naturally… allow the moment to reveal itself. Do you notice any challenges, lack of understanding, or frustration? Allow these moments to be seen and held. Where, in the prayer journey of the week have you noticed God invitation? How might you seek justice, practice humility, and walk more closely with the Lord? Again, notice what arises naturally. Look forward to the days to come with a prayer of thanksgiving, asking for God’s grace and guidance to carry the insights you have received into each day. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Friday 17 July 2026Today is Friday the 17th of July, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing the Benedictus: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel! He has visited his people and redeemed them. He has raised up for us a mighty saviour in the house of David his servant, as he promised by the lips of holy men, those who were his prophets from of old. A saviour who would free us from our foes, from the hands of all who hate us. So his love for our ancestors is fulfilled and his holy covenant remembered. He swore to Abraham our father to grant us, that free from fear, and saved from the hands of our foes, we might serve him in holiness and justice all the days of our life in his presence.” Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 38:10-12, 16 I said: In the noontide of my days I must depart; I am consigned to the gates of Sheol for the rest of my years. I said, I shall not see the Lord in the land of the living; I shall look upon mortals no more among the inhabitants of the world. My dwelling is plucked up and removed from me like a shepherd’s tent; like a weaver I have rolled up my life; he cuts me off from the loom; from day to night you bring me to an end; O Lord, by these things people live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. O restore me to health and make me live! The reading for today comes from the prayer of King Hezekiah. He feels that his life is being cut short, that his anticipated future is slipping away. The imagery is stark and evocative - a shepherd's tent being pulled up, a weaver cutting cloth from the loom. Everything seems fragile and temporary. Notice the king’s emotions, fears and grief – his helplessness. Perhaps there are losses, changes, or uncertainties in your own life that come to mind? Something unfinished? “O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit.” Hezekiah realises that life is not in his control – not through his kingship, authority or strength. Life belongs to God. The fragile nature of life is where he encounters God's saving presence. Times such as these, that reveal our vulnerability, are often the ones that bring us closer to the Lord. As you listen to the passage again, reflect on times you have felt the need to be in control, or when you have been sustained by God’s presence. Isaiah 38:10-12, 16 I said: In the noontide of my days I must depart; I am consigned to the gates of Sheol for the rest of my years. I said, I shall not see the Lord in the land of the living; I shall look upon mortals no more among the inhabitants of the world. My dwelling is plucked up and removed from me like a shepherd’s tent; like a weaver I have rolled up my life; he cuts me off from the loom; from day to night you bring me to an end; O Lord, by these things people live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. O restore me to h

Thursday 16 July 2026Today is Thursday the 16th of July, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time. The choir of Westminster Cathedral, directed by David Hill, sing Victoria’s Taedet animam meam: ‘My soul is weary of my life.’ Perhaps you feel a bit weary yourself today, even now as you’re trying to pray – not in the mood – too busy, too preoccupied, too tired. But if that is how you find yourself right now, just acknowledge that feeling, and present yourself, nonetheless, to God, just as you are. And God will listen to you, and accept you, just as you are. Tædet animam meam vitæ meæ; dimittam adversum me eloquium meum, loquar in amaritudine animæ meæ. Dicam Deo: Noli me condemnare: indica mihi cur me ita judices. Numquid bonum tibi videtur, si calumnieris me et oprimas me, opus manuum tuarum, et consilium impiorum adjuves? Numquid oculi carnei tibi sunt: aut sicut videt homo, et tu videbis? Numquid sicut dies hominis dies tui, et anni tui sicut humana sunt tempora, ut quæras iniquitatem meam, et peccatum meum scruteris? Et scias quia nihil impium fecerim, cum sit nemo qui de manu tua possit eruere? My soul is weary of my life; I will unleash my speech against myself, I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say unto God: Do not condemn me; reveal to me why thou judgest me thus. Does it seem good to thee that thou accuse me and oppress me, the work of thy hands, and aid the counsel of the wicked? Hast thou eyes of flesh, or seest thou as man seeth? Are thy days as the days of man, and thy years as the times of men? That thou wouldst seek after my wickedness, and search after my sin? And wouldst know that I have done nothing wicked, there being none who can deliver from thy hand? Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ Sometimes, when we listen to the gospel, we may feel overwhelmed by what God is asking of us. Today, however, we are reminded of another side of God - compassion and a deep understanding of what it means to be human. We hear Jesus calling, “Come to me.” What does it mean to hear him speak these words to you now? What is your response? “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart.” In a world that often prizes confidence and strength, we are offered not only consolation but a different way of being. We might take a moment to place ourselves in this moment with Jesus. Notice his presence. Hear the gentleness in his voice as he invites you to come closer. How might you practise gentleness and humility in your own encounters? As you listen to the passage again, reflect on the burdens you have placed on yourself, and ask for the courage to release what is not yours to carry. Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come to me, all you that a

Wednesday 15 July 2026Today is Wednesday the 15th of July, the feast of Saint Bonaventure, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time. CalledOut Music sings, ‘Ese’, a song meaning ‘thank you’. Can you sing this to God too today? What shall I render? Tell me what I can offer (to You) How can I say that I'm grateful I have a Father who will Never ever fail me, no He never sleep or slumber He'll never fall my hand You have been closer than a friend And this, Your love will never end So I've come to say Ese, Ese Oluwa oh Ese, Ese Baba Ese, Ese Oluwa oh Ese, Ese Baba I'll give You my heart and affection Give You my love and devotion I'll never cease to worship You, my God So I've come to give my offering Many blessings fall on me Every step of the way I have felt Your presence You have been closer than a friend And this Your love will never end So I've come to say Ese, Ese Oluwa oh Ese, Ese Baba Ese, Ese Oluwa oh Ese, Ese Baba Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 11:25-27 At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Today is the feast day of St Bonaventure, a contemporary and friend of St Thomas Aquinas. As a Franciscan, modelling St Francis, Jesus was at the centre of everything - his teaching, his writing, and his life. On this feast day, we may pray for the gift of wisdom and the ability to integrate faith and reason in our lives. In today’s passage, we are witnesses to Jesus’ prayer to the Father, rejoicing in the Father’s plan for the world. We often reflect on the suffering of Jesus - what does it mean to witness this prayer of gratitude and trust? We might place ourselves within the intimacy of the relationship that Jesus had with his heavenly Father. Imagine Jesus’ face. Hear the warmth in his voice as he speaks. Jesus speaks of his followers as “little children,” seeing that they are blessed by their openness to learn from him, a virtue lacking in others who perhaps saw themselves as intellectuals who already knew. What might you need to let go of so as to become more childlike in your relationship with God? As you listen to the passage again, consider how you might ask for the grace to become one of those “little ones”. Matthew 11:25-27 At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son c

Tuesday 14 July 2026Today is Tuesday the 14th of July, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time. Oculi mei ad Dominum Deum: My eyes are on the Lord God. Wherever you are right now, on the way to work, walking in the park, sitting at home… what can you see? What can you see around you? Remember for a moment that God is present in all of this, that all of this has been made by God, and is loved by God, that God holds you, and all of this, in the palm of God’s hand. (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 11:20-24 Then [Jesus] began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.’ In today’s reading, Jesus speaks to the towns that witnessed grace, healing, mercy - and still did not change. “If the mighty works done in you had been done elsewhere, they would have repented…” Remain here for a moment. What is your response? What stirs in you as you hear these words? Is there a sense of not anger but grief – a longing for what should be? Resistance against what has been uncovered? Gratitude for a life lived differently? A desire to begin again? These towns were perhaps well known to the listeners. Consider what is your witness to the town that you live in today? When we listen to this passage again, hear Jesus speaking to you today. Does your life reflect the graces received through faith? Matthew 11:20-24 Then [Jesus] began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.’ In this time of prayer, picture Jesus sitting beside you. Speak with the Lord about all that is on your heart. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Monday 13 July 2026Today is Monday the 13th of July, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time. One Hope Project sings, ‘Good Work In Me’. How is God transforming you at the moment? Everything I have within And all that is before me Meet me in this broken place Transform it for Your glory I lay this life down Fall into You now A sacrifice of praise Surrendered to You My loving Saviour I trust in Your great name You will meet me in my hurting, Jesus You are all I need Your love will satisfy I trust the plans You have for me I will stand upon the promise You have not forsaken me You walk beside me in the waiting You are doing a good work in me Now when I'm faced with trials I'll choose Your joy each morning I trust You though I'm terrified So use me for Your glory You are a God of transformation Your presence carries restoration You deserve my praise There's power in Your name Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 1:10-17 Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt-offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. When you come to appear before me, who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more; bringing offerings is futile; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and sabbath and calling of convocation— I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity. Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them. When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. In today’s reading, no one seems safe from Isaiah’s challenging words. Might we sense God speaking through Isaiah - not with imagined anger, but with the heartbreak of someone whose children have forgotten what love looks like. The rituals are celebrated, prayers are recited, sacrifices are offered. But for what? For whom? Are there times when, although you want your faith to be authentic, you retreat to habit, routine, or appearances? The prophet offers a different, truer way: “…Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” As you listen to the passage again, reflect a little more on what the Lord is asking of you. Perhaps you might think of an action or practice that you could take up to reflect this in your own life. Isaiah 1:10-17 Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our G

Sunday 12 July 2026Today is Sunday the 12th of July, Sea Sunday, beginning the 15th week of Ordinary Time. The Nuns of St Cecilia’s Abbey sing Oculi omnium in te sperant: ‘The eyes of all turn to you in hope, O Lord: and you give them food in due season. You open your hand and fill every creature with blessing.’ As you listen, turn your attention, your eyes, your heart, to God. Amid any noise and activity around you, hold yourself in stillness for a moment, ready to accept what God has to give you. Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 55:10-11 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Today’s reading gives us an image of abundance, and of the provision of God. Take a moment to recall the gifts you receive from God each day – the food you eat, the water you drink, the very breath you breathe... We get an image in this passage of a connectedness: from the rain and snow to the earth, the seed, the sower, the bread, the eater... Today we celebrate “Sea Sunday”, a chance to give thanks for our seafarers and fishers, another example of how we are connected without seeing the full process. How often do you pause to consider the chain of events that brings the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the safety we experience? Can you see God moving in each step? As you hear the reading again, notice that this image of connection in producing food also displays the journey of the word and purpose of God. Isaiah 55:10-11 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 'But it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.' Speak to God about what God’s success looks like... you might like to ask for help in recognising the things that God is purposing. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Saturday 11 July 2026Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Spend a moment becoming still. Today, we will revisit a slightly different style of Examen reflection we have used before:  Imagine yourself in a place where you feel at peace.  It might be your own room at home.  There are two chairs there and you sit on one of these. There is a knock on the door, and you open it.  It is Jesus.  You invite him to sit down.  What is it like to have him there?  He has brought a book with him, and you realise that it is a photograph album of the week...  He has taken pictures of you throughout the week. You and Jesus look through the photos talking about them.  If one in particular catches your eye, for which you are grateful, spend some time with it and talk to Jesus about it . . . Is there a particular picture Jesus wants you to look at?  What do you feel about his choice?  What do you say to him about it? Is there a picture there which you wish wasn’t there?  Talk to him about that too. When you are ready the album is closed.  What do you ask of Jesus before he departs, to help you for the week ahead?  How do you take leave of each other?  How do you feel now? Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Friday 10 July 2026Today is Friday the 10th of July, in the 14th week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach with The Porter’s Gate sings a setting of Psalm 46, from Companion Songs. Can you join in with this Psalm? Where can you find some comfort in it? We will not fear, though the earth gives way There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
 The holy place where the Most High dwells. We will not fear, though the earth gives way 
God is within her, she will not fall God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall He lifts his voice, the earth melts. Come and see what the Lord has done The desolations he has brought on the earth He makes wars cease
 To the ends of the earth. We will not fear, though the earth gives way 
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear He burns the shields with fire. We will not fear, though the earth gives way 
He says, ‘Be still, be still, be still and know that I am God’ We will not fear, though the earth gives way Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 10:16-23 ‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.’ Imagine for a moment you are being sent out here by Jesus... How does it sound to hear that you will be like a sheep among wolves? Jesus speaks to his disciples of then but also now, who will be facing persecution. Have you faced persecution, or perhaps you know someone who has? Take a moment to pray for all those facing suffering because of their faith... Spend a few moments now just talking to God about the thoughts and feelings that have awoken in you as you listen to the Gospel again. Matthew 10:16-23 ‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit

Thursday 9 July 2026Today is Thursday the 9th of July, the feast of Saint Leo Ignatius Mangin, Saint Mary Zhu Wu and Companions, in the 14th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing Psalm 115: “I love the Lord, he hears my cry, he bends down to listen to me when I call” – words which paint a beautiful picture of God bending down to me like a mother or father bending down to their child, full of tenderness and love. As you listen, reflect for a moment on that ‘tender, loving care’ – that love that God has for you… can you also offer this love back to God? Today’s reading is from the Prophet Hosea. Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them. How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. Imagine you are looking at a mother or a father with a very young child. Perhaps you can see a parent and child in front of you right now. If not, try and imagine it for a moment. That is how Hosea paints the picture of the relationship between God and his people, here called “Israel” or “Ephraim”. God notices, even complains about their unfaithfulness, but that complaint is held in balance by his memories of loving Ephraim as a child. Some people carry a photograph around with them to remind them of someone they love, someone who loves them. Perhaps you do. Which person who loves you, or whom you love, does all this bring to mind? Listen to the reading again; note how in the passage, God both lifts us up to his level and also comes down to our level. Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them. How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils

Wednesday 8 July 2026Today is Wednesday the 8th of July, in the 14th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing Ego vos elegi: ‘I have chosen you out of the world, so that you might go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last.’ As you listen to this chant, be reminded that God calls you, calls you by your name. However unsuitable or unworthy you might think you are, God has chosen you. Ego vos elegi de mundo, ut eatis, et fructum afferatis: et fructus vester maneat, alleluja. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 10:1-7 Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector; Jamesson of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” As you reflect on this passage from Matthew, is there a word or a phrase that has stood out or has stayed with you? Imagine that! Hearing Jesus who loves you call you by your name. How does it make you feel? As we hear the passage again, know that Jesus has called you by name. Listen to what he invites you to... Matthew 10:1-7 Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector; Jamesson of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Jesus called these twelve followers and then sent them out on a special mission. What is Jesus calling you to do in his name? Maybe there is something you want to say to Jesus now about this... Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Tuesday 7 July 2026Today is Tuesday the 7th of July, in the 14th week of Ordinary Time. The University of Johannesburg Choir sings the Kyrie: ‘Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy’. These imploring words, which have been sung for centuries, are a reminder of the inexhaustible mercy of God, of God’s unfailing compassion and forgiveness. As you listen, take a moment to ponder your need for that forgiveness, and the need, too, to show that same forgiveness to others. Kyrie eleison Christe eleison Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 9:32-38 After they had gone away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to [Jesus]. And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.’ But the Pharisees said, ‘By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons.’ Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’ Jesus was confronted by human suffering and responded with compassion. Here we see Jesus reaching out to heal those who were on the fringe of his society, at the risk of becoming marginalised himself. How are you moved in similar ways? Do you feel prepared to risk what others think of you in order to help those who are ‘harassed and helpless’? Are there any situations in your life where you feel drawn to speak up for those without a voice and to help those who cannot help themselves? As we listen again to this piece of scripture, we become aware that Jesus wants us to grow in love and compassion for those in need. Allow these feelings of concern to stir in your heart. Matthew 9:32-38 After they had gone away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to [Jesus]. And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.’ But the Pharisees said, ‘By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons.’ Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’ Jesus understands our feelings of helplessness in the face of suffering. Jesus, however, challenges us to become involved and invites us to share in his ministry. How will you re

Monday 6 July 2026Today is Monday the 6th of July, in the 14th week of Ordinary Time. Salt of the Sound sings, ‘I Need Thee Every Hour’. I need Thee every hour Most gracious Lord No tender voice like Thine Can peace afford I need Thee, oh I need Thee Every hour I need Thee Oh bless me now, my Saviour I come to Thee Oh, I need Thee Oh, I need Thee I come to Thee Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 9:18-26 While [Jesus] was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, ‘My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.’ And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.’ Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And instantly the woman was made well. When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute-players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, ‘Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district. There are so many things happening in this passage. Let it unfold in your mind: a synagogue leader is kneeling before Jesus...Jesus moves to help the man... on his way a woman reaches out in faith trying to be discreet in approaching Jesus.... a crowd making a cynical commotion... Yet, Jesus has time to be present to everyone at each moment... Let the scene sink in... We could say that three people are healed in this scene: The woman with the haemorrhage, the little girl, and the synagogue leader. Each one is touched by Jesus. Who are you most drawn to, as you reflect today? As we listen again to the passage, stay close to Jesus in the scene... Matthew 9:18-26 While [Jesus] was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, ‘My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.’ And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.’ Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And instantly the woman was made well. When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute-players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, ‘Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout tha

Sunday 5 July 2026Today is Sunday the 5th of July, beginning the 14th week of Ordinary Time. 'Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy-burdened; you shall find rest.' What are the labours that I am involved with as I try to pray today? What are the burdens I am carrying? As I enter into prayer, I take this moment to place all my concerns and all my burdens in God’s hands. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 11:25-30 At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ It’s so easy to feel lumbered with needs, relationships, contradictions in our lives; hardships of all sorts, to feel all these as burdens weighing upon you ... Just for a moment, become aware of what those are for you - the things that are weighing most heavily on you at the moment. Yet the promise of Christ is that following Him brings a lightness of touch, not the heaviness of compulsion or duty. It’s not the relaxation we feel during a week on the beach. It’s more like a steady, realistic, day-by-day approach to 'life lived in the company of the Lord'. When have you felt the ease of Jesus’s company? - not having to try to be or to look different to how you really are? Listen to the words of Jesus once again: perhaps you can see him as he speaks – imagine him speaking to the people around you right now – how does it make you want to be with others seeing that this is how Jesus relates to people? Matthew 11:25-30 At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ Now bring this time of prayer to a close now in the company of Jesus – talking to him about any burdens you feel right now, or about something that has come up in the last few minutes. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As

Saturday 4 July 2026Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Take a moment to become still before God. Where can you recognise God wherever you are right now? Perhaps in another person... perhaps in creation or in something in your house... On Saturdays, we look back at the week with God. Don’t worry if you can’t remember everything (or anything)! This is about letting God open your eyes to the week. Begin to let the events of your week naturally rise to the surface of your mind. As you look back over this week of prayer, what really stands out for you? Did you at all feel the presence of God in your prayer this week? Was there one particular scripture passage or verse that really spoke to you this week? What do you think it is saying to you now? Was there a point when you really experienced a lightness of heart, and felt that God was there? Was there a moment when you had no sense at all of the presence of God? Why do you think that might have been? What do you think God is saying to you today in your prayer? How are you going to respond? Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Friday 3 July 2026Today is Friday the 3rd of July, the feast of Saint Thomas, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time. The Kyiv Chamber Choir sing the Creed: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.” As I start this prayer today, can I join in with this strong, almost exuberant expression of faith? Can I begin by declaring my faith in my God, my creator, my heavenly Father? Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John. John 20:24-29 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’ A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ There is something important going on deep down inside for Thomas. In his gut there’s a scepticism about all this talk of resurrection. Maybe it’s just too good to be true? Mass hysteria? Something inside him resists a faith that is too easy, too much like a fairy-tale. If Jesus is truly risen, he must still bear the wounds of the Cross. You can’t just put something like that to one side and forget about it, can you? Do you sense those feelings in you too? Are there ‘dark places’ within you still needing to meet Jesus, risen from the dead? Spend a moment looking at the world you live in, places of poverty and hunger, suffering and loss. Can Jesus really be risen there? Look too at the broken places in your own life. What are the wounds that you need God to know about and to heal? As you listen again to the Gospel story, try to imagine Thomas’s face as he places his hands in the wounds of Jesus. This is no feel-good, happy ending – but real life out of real death. A hope so real you could base your life on it. A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ See if you can find some spark of hope lighting up within you. Hold on to it. Let it grow. Tell the Lord about it and where it might take you. Can you say with Thomas, “My Lord and my God”? Glory be to the Father and to th

Thursday 2 July 2026Today is Thursday the 2nd of July, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time. 'Saviour of my soul, this day keep me whole.' As you listen to this song by Keith Duke, can you join in this prayer? Can you present yourself now to the One who forgives all our failings and shortcomings, who has given himself freely for our sake, and trust yourself entirely to his mercy? Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 9:1-8 And after getting into a boat [Jesus] crossed the water and came to his own town. And just then some people were carrying a paralysed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’ Then some of the scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he then said to the paralytic—‘Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.’ And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings. In today’s Gospel, Jesus relieves a man not just of his physical ailments, but first, of the burden of the past with simple but powerful words: ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven’. Do you still carry the weight of past mistakes and sin? Feeling unforgiven can be like paralysis. When things can’t be put right, we can feel trapped, unable to move on. The future is closed. We can’t grow or walk free. Do you feel like that, or can you remember a time when you did? As you hear the story one more time, imagine yourself lying on that bed, unable to move, trapped in your past. Hear Jesus utter words of forgiveness with a gentle voice. And let him show his power to forgive by saying “stand up and walk”. Matthew 9:1-8 And after getting into a boat [Jesus] crossed the water and came to his own town. And just then some people were carrying a paralysed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’ Then some of the scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he then said to the paralytic—‘Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.’ And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings. The gift of true forgiveness is always a doorway into deeper love. Maybe you want to express something of that now to the Lord? Or just stay in silence, with Jesus standing in

Thursday 2 July 2026Today is Thursday the 2nd of July, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time. 'Saviour of my soul, this day keep me whole.' As you listen to this song by Keith Duke, can you join in this prayer? Can you present yourself now to the One who forgives all our failings and shortcomings, who has given himself freely for our sake, and trust yourself entirely to his mercy? Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 9:1-8 And after getting into a boat [Jesus] crossed the water and came to his own town. And just then some people were carrying a paralysed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’ Then some of the scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he then said to the paralytic—‘Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.’ And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings. In today’s Gospel, Jesus relieves a man not just of his physical ailments, but first, of the burden of the past with simple but powerful words: ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven’. Do you still carry the weight of past mistakes and sin? Feeling unforgiven can be like paralysis. When things can’t be put right, we can feel trapped, unable to move on. The future is closed. We can’t grow or walk free. Do you feel like that, or can you remember a time when you did? As you hear the story one more time, imagine yourself lying on that bed, unable to move, trapped in your past. Hear Jesus utter words of forgiveness with a gentle voice. And let him show his power to forgive by saying “stand up and walk”. Matthew 9:1-8 And after getting into a boat [Jesus] crossed the water and came to his own town. And just then some people were carrying a paralysed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’ Then some of the scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he then said to the paralytic—‘Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.’ And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings. The gift of true forgiveness is always a doorway into deeper love. Maybe you want to express something of that now to the Lord? Or just stay in silence, with Jesus standing in

Wednesday 1 July 2026Today is Wednesday the 1st of July, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time. The choir of Portsmouth Cathedral sing Psalm 85 – Lord thou art become gracious unto Thy Land, thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. Lord, thou art become gracious unto thy land; thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the offence of thy people, and covered all their sins. Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure, and turned thyself from thy wrathful indignation. Turn us then, O God our Saviour, and let thine anger cease from us. Wilt thou be displeased at us for ever? and wilt thou stretch out thy wrath from one generation to another? Wilt thou not turn again, and quicken us, that thy people may rejoice in thee? Show us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation. I will hearken what the Lord God will say; for he shall speak peace unto his people, and to his saints, that they turn not again unto foolishness. For his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together: righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall flourish out of the earth, and righteousness hath looked down from heaven. Yea, the Lord shall show loving-kindness; and our land shall give her increase. Righteousness shall go before him, and shall direct his going in the way. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Today’s reading is from the Prophet Amos. Amos 5:14-15, 21-24 Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, just as you have said. Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt-offerings and grain-offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. God's words in today’s passage may sound harsh. But hear them come out of love; love for all the world, love especially for the poor and the vulnerable. When God sees his children exploited and impoverished, there is no ritual observance, no pious sacrifice, that can appease. What is it that stops you from sharing in God’s love for the outcast and those on the edges of society? Do you find yourself just accepting that the world is unjust? Or perhaps the injustice and poverty of so many overwhelms you... How is God with you in these movements of your heart? As you hear those words of God again, remember that God challenges those He loves; he wants us to grow an

Tuesday 30 June 2026Today is Tuesday the 30th of June, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing, Nada te turbe: ‘Let nothing trouble you or make you afraid. Those who have God will lack nothing. God alone is enough.’ Nada te turbe, nada te espante Quien a Dios tiene, nada le falta Nada te turbe, nada te espante Solo Dios basta Nada te turbe, nada te espante Quien a Dios tiene, nada le falta Todo se pasa, Dios no se muda (Nada te turbe, nada te espante) La paciencia todo lo alcanza (Solo Dios basta) Nada te turbe, nada te espante Quien a Dios tiene, nada le falta Nada te turbe, nada te espante Solo Dios basta En Cristo mi confianza (Nada te turbe, nada te espante) Y de Él solo mi asimiento (Quien a Dios tiene, nada le falta) En sus cansancios mi aliento (Nada te turbe, nada te espante) Y en su imitación mi holganza (Solo Dios basta) Aquí estriba mi firmeza (Nada te turbe, nada te espante) Aquí mi seguridad (Quien a Dios tiene, nada le falta) La prueba de mi verdad (Nada te turbe, nada te espante) La muestra de mi firmeza (Solo Dios basta) Nada te turbe, nada te espante Quien a Dios tiene, nada le falta Nada te turbe, nada te espante Solo Dios basta Nada te turbe, nada te espante Quien a Dios tiene, nada le falta Ya no durmáis, no durmáis (Nada te turbe, nada te espante) Pues que no hay paz en la Tierra (Solo Dios basta) No haya ningún cobarde (Nada te turbe, nada te espante) Aventuremos la vida (Quien a Dios tiene, nada le falta) No hay que temer, no durmáis (Nada te turbe, nada te espante) Aventuremos la vida (Solo Dios basta) Nada te turbe, nada te espante Quien a Dios tiene, nada le falta Nada te turbe, nada te espante Solo Dios basta Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 8:23-27 And when [Jesus] got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A gale arose on the lake, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’ Jesus’s reaction in this story is hard to understand. He doesn’t seem that bothered about the storm raging on the sea. But he’s really surprised by the terror and panic of his friends. How come they don’t see that they are totally safe with him around? The sea could be seen as a symbol of the chaos out of which God creates the world, the disorder the world often reverts to. How do you react to the little “chaoses” that come into your life? Do you panic like the disciples? Put up defences? Resign yourself to the inevitable? Or do you put all your trust in the Lord? Now imagine yourself in that situation which threatened you, as you listen to the reading again. Jes

Tuesday 30 June 2026Today is Tuesday the 30th of June, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing 'Nada te turbe': Let nothing trouble you or make you afraid. Those who have God will lack nothing. God alone is enough. Nada te turbe, nada te espante Quien a Dios tiene, nada le falta Nada te turbe, nada te espante Solo Dios basta Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 8:23-27 And when [Jesus] got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A gale arose on the lake, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’ Jesus’s reaction in this story is hard to understand. He doesn’t seem that bothered about the storm raging on the sea. But he’s really surprised by the terror and panic of his friends. How come they don’t see that they are totally safe with him around? The sea could be seen as a symbol of the chaos out of which God creates the world, the disorder the world often reverts to. How do you react to the little “chaoses” that come into your life? Do you panic like the disciples? Put up defences? Resign yourself to the inevitable? Or do you put all your trust in the Lord? Now imagine yourself in that situation which threatened you, as you listen to the reading again. Jesus is there with you this time. Tell him, “Lord, save me, I am going down.” Now listen to what he says. See what he does. Matthew 8:23-27 And when [Jesus] got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A gale arose on the lake, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’ Notice where you’ve felt drawn to the Lord in this prayer... Perhaps you felt drawn to the God who will not let you be lost? You might want to speak to Jesus, hand over some of your worries and insecurities... And give Him thanks for all He is to you. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Monday 29 July 2026Today is Monday the 29th of June, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time. In today’s reflection, we will pray with the idea of what it costs to follow Jesus. As you listen to Jon Guerra singing, ‘Take Up Your Cross’, become aware of Jesus’ loving presence with you. If anyone would come after me Let him deny himself Take up his cross Follow me If anyone would come after me Let him deny himself Take up his cross Follow me Whoever would save his life Will lose it Whoever loses his life for me Will find it If anyone claims to worship God Let him give all away Take up his cross Follow me Whoever would save his life Will lose it Whoever loses his life for me Will find it What would it profit a man If he gains the whole world And forfeits his soul What would it profit a man at all What would it profit a man If he dies with a barn full of silver and gold What would it profit a man at all If anyone would come after me Let him deny himself Take up his cross Follow me Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 8:18-22 Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. A scribe then approached and said, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ Another of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’ In our passage today, Jesus speaks of the “cost of following”. When the scribe declares that he will follow Jesus wherever he goes, we might have expected Jesus to respond with a lighter tone, some congratulatory remarks, or even a pat on the back. Instead, Jesus responds by saying, “follow me, and I promise it will be tough.” How do you feel about this challenging invitation? If Jesus was inviting you to follow him here, what would be the first thing that you would want to “sort out” before feeling free to fully join him? Are you able to give that up? As this short passage is read again, imagine the scene, with you in it, perhaps in the place of the scribe – share what it feels like to speak these words to Jesus, and to hear his reply. Matthew 8:18-22 Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. A scribe then approached and said, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ Another of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’ "I will follow you wherever you go." Are these words you want to speak to Jesus now, in response to his challenge? Perhaps you would choose different words. Whatever it is you want to say, speak to the

Sunday 28 June 2026Today is Sunday the 28th of June, the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, beginning the 13th week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach, Jessica Fox and iAmSon sing ‘Bless the Lord’. What are the great things the Lord has done for you? Bless the Lord O my soul And all that is within me Bless His holy name For he has done great things Bless His holy name Bless the Lord O my soul And all that is within me Bless His holy name For he has done great things Bless His holy name Bless the Lord O my soul And all that is within me Bless His holy name For he has done great things Alleluia Bless His holy name Today’s reading is from the Book of Acts. Acts 12:1-11 About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.) When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him. The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, ‘Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.’ He did so. Then he said to him, ‘Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.’ Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.’ In today’s reading we hear of the killing of James the brother of John by Herod, then move on quickly to hear the story of Peter’s release from prison. We take a moment to acknowledge the stark difference in outcome for these two beloved followers of Jesus. We hear that when Peter was imprisoned and four squads of soldiers were sent to guard him, the church was fervently praying for him. How and when have you been supported in prayer? And what difference did this make to you? As you listen to the reading again, in your imagination, keep company with Peter as he awakes and follows the angel. The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in fron

Saturday 27 June 2026Welcome to the Saturday Examen. You may like to take a little longer to prepare yourself for prayer today. So, take a moment to allow yourself to feel comfortable wherever you are. What do you need to be at home with the Lord and feel comfortable? Become aware of the rhythm of your breathing. If you are feeling anxious about something, acknowledge this with the Lord who already knows, understands and welcomes you with whatever you bring to prayer today. Continue to breathe slowly and imagine that you are beginning to come to rest in the Lord’s loving presence. You may like to imagine that you are leaning on him. We will read through a selection of verses from this week’s scripture passages. You may use these to jog your memory, or perhaps just notice which verse most speaks to you today. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed.  Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God.  Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I do choose.” As you sit with the Lord today, share any memories from your prayer times this week, or reflect on the verse that most speaks to you today. Now call to mind some of the moments in the past week. Which moment most stands out to you as being a life-giving moment? Which moment stands out as being a life-draining moment? Offer these moments to the Lord in gratitude and prayer. For the remaining time in prayer, focus once again on your breathing and simply let the Lord surround you with his loving presence. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Friday 26 June 2026Today is Friday the 26th of June, in the 12th week of Ordinary Time. Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing: ‘Inhliziyo Zethu’: ‘You will make my heart pure’. A pure heart is a heart that is open to God, that doesn’t seek its own advantage, but wants whatever God wants. As I enter into prayer today, I ask for that openness of heart. I ask the Lord to lead my heart to him, to guide me in the way he wants me to go. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 8:1-4 When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ Try to picture this man with leprosy now...his appearance...his garments...his posture...his diseased skin...how do his isolation and suffering show on his face? ‘The leper came to Jesus and knelt before him.’ Now picture Jesus with the leper, knelt at his feet... How does Jesus welcome him?... Look at him?... Perhaps touch him?... Gaze upon this scene for a moment with your heart. The leper asks, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ As the reading is read again, continue to watch the scene, noticing what most moves you. Matthew 8:1-4 When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ Jesus says to the leper, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Perhaps there is something you would like to ask of Jesus today. In the quiet, bring your own requests to his feet as you pray. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Thursday 25 June 2026Today is Thursday the 25th of June, in the 12th week of Ordinary Time. 'In God alone is my soul at rest. He alone is my rock, my strength.' There are probably things on my mind as I try to pray, right now. Things bothering me, worrying me, things I’ve got to do. Those hassles and concerns may be important. But for these few minutes, can I just put them on one side, and find a moment of peace for my soul? A moment of rest with my God, my rock, my strength? Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 7:21-29 ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.” ‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!’ Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. We might have been familiar with the house on the rock parable since childhood, but today we are going to reflect on this parable of Jesus as if we were doing an examen. Reflect on your life recently. When did you most hear and act on the wise words of Jesus? Maybe you can recall a moment of consolation, as if the house of your faith was built on a rock. When recently have you not acted on Jesus’s words, perhaps leaning on your own understanding only? Maybe there was a feeling of your house collapsing under the buffeting of the rain and wind when your circumstances were challenging. Or perhaps you feared this happening. As we hear the reading again, offer these times, times of wisdom and times of foolishness, to God and his loving mercy... Matthew 7:21-29 ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.” ‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hea

Wednesday 24 June 2026Today is Wednesday the 24th of June, the feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist, in the 12th week of Ordinary Time. Salt of the Sound sings, ‘How Great Thou Art’. As you come to prayer today, recall the things for which you are grateful to God. When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart Then I shall bow in humble adoration And there proclaim: "My God, how great thou art!" Then sings my soul, my Saviour-God, to thee How great thou art! How great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Saviour-God, to thee How great thou art! How great thou art! Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. We will only hear the passage once through today, followed by an imaginative contemplation exercise, so prepare to step into the scene... Luke 1:57-66, 80 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘None of your relatives has this name.’ Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbours, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’ For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel. Today we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist, and our reading reminds us of some of the extraordinary and surprising events surrounding John’s birth. As you begin your time of prayer, try to picture the hill country of Judea with its green, sloping hills and pine forests. Imagine Elizabeth and Zechariah in their house, holding their baby. Listen to their conversation... then the exclamations of joy and the delight of the neighbours and relatives as they come to wish them well. What is it like to become part of this scene? Perhaps there is someone in the home with whom you would like to have a conversation. We now imagine that we join the family for the circumcision ceremony of John. We remember that Zechariah has been mute for nine months, so picture him now as he struggles to communicate by gestures and writing the name of the child. ‘His name is John.’ Imagine that you hear Zechariah recovering his voice and listen as he begins to praise God. What reactions do you see among his family and guests? ‘All these things were talked about throughout the entire hill co

Tuesday 23 June 2026Today is Tuesday the 23rd of June, in the 12th week of Ordinary Time. 'Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life.' The most important thing for me to do now, as I enter into prayer, is to let go for a moment, to let go of my own concerns, my own worries and fears and reluctance, and let myself be led by God, trusting that God, who loves me, will lead me into life. Bless the Lord, my soul and bless God’s holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul who leads me into life. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 7:6, 12-14 ‘Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you. ‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. ‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.’ In today’s reading, Jesus is teaching his disciples on the mountain, delivering the Sermon on the Mount. The first two sentences relate to how we relate to others: the first about taking care, and the second about serving one another.... ‘Do not throw your pearls before swine’ Jesus instructs his disciples.... What gifts from God would you regard as your pearls? Can you recall a time when you shared these with someone and felt they were badly received, or even trampled on? Try to recall how this felt. Jesus also teaches, ‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you.’ This is sometimes known as the ‘golden rule’. Reflect on this, perhaps calling to mind a way in which this teaching of Jesus shapes your own life and the lives of those around you. As you listen to the scripture again, notice which of these instructions you find to be the most challenging. Matthew 7:6, 12-14 ‘Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you. ‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. ‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.’ Our reading today ends with Jesus presenting us with a choice of either the wide gate that leads to destruction or the narrow gate which leads to life. Take a few moments to imagine these two gates and the paths and choices they present. What has most struck you today in this time of prayer? Share your thoughts with the Lord now. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Monday 22 June 2026Today is Monday the 22nd of June, the feast of Saint John Fisher and Saint Thomas More, in the 12th week of Ordinary Time. The Porter’s Gate sing, ‘Do With It What You Will’. This song is based on the Suscipe, a prayer by St Ignatius of Loyola. Can you make these words your own today? You have given all to me To you O Lord I return it Everything I have is yours Do with it what you will You will gather all of me Every gift, every burden Every day and every hour Do with it what you will I lift it up, I lay it down You have given all to me To you O Lord I return it Everything I have is yours Do with it what you will Today’s reading is from Psalm 126. When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. Our reading today is part of a Psalm of Ascent, a song that would have been sung as a community was returning home after captivity or a long absence. Take a moment to picture yourself within a community of pilgrims, slowly walking, step by step, with shouts of joy. ‘We were like those who dream’ writes the psalmist. What feelings does this journey evoke within you? ‘We were like those in a dream.’ This was a journey that had been imagined and longed for over a long period of time. What is it that you most long for? Speak with the Lord about this longing. As you listen to the psalm again, notice, in particular, the last three verses: the psalmist’s desire for the restoration of their community. When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. ‘May those who sow in tears, reap with shouts of joy.’ Who or what comes to mind when you hear this? Perhaps you know of someone who feels as if they are sowing in tears. Bring them before the Lord now, as you end your prayer. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Sunday 21 June 2026Today is Sunday the 21st of June, beginning the 12th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing Psalm 90: You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, say to the Lord, ‘my refuge, my stronghold, my god in whom I trust.’ … Under his wings you will find refuge. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day…. Upon you no evil shall fall…. For you he has commanded his angels, to keep you in all your ways. Today’s reading is from the Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah 20:10-13 For I hear many whispering: ‘Terror is all around! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!’ All my close friends are watching for me to stumble. ‘Perhaps he can be enticed, and we can prevail against him, and take our revenge on him.’ But the Lord is with me like a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they will not prevail. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonour will never be forgotten. O Lord of hosts, you test the righteous, you see the heart and the mind; let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hands of evildoers. In the Old Testament reading for today, we encounter Jeremiah the prophet, weary and misunderstood. He hears whispers of betrayal and accusation. “Terror is all around,” he says. How does Jeremiah’s experience speak to you? What voices have followed you this week? Has a sense of fear or feelings of doubt made you feel vulnerable? “But,” Jeremiah says, “the Lord is with me like a dread warrior.” Jeremiah knows that the Lord is with him, and that his persecutors will not have their way. For Jeremiah, God is a God of justice and truth - a God who is always on the side of the needy. Jeremiah understands that God may seem to be testing him, but the Lord’s very presence is a reassurance of God’s care. Take a moment to reflect: where might you feel under pressure? Where are you seeking reassurance? As you listen to the reading again, notice how Jeremiah’s confidence in the Lord grows through prayer. It is perhaps not the ending we - or Jeremiah - expected. Jeremiah 20:10-13 For I hear many whispering: ‘Terror is all around! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!’ All my close friends are watching for me to stumble. ‘Perhaps he can be enticed, and we can prevail against him, and take our revenge on him.’ But the Lord is with me like a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they will not prevail. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonour will never be forgotten. O Lord of hosts, you test the righteous, you see the heart and the mind; let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I

Saturday 20 June 2026Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Today’s feast day asks us to be mindful of St Alban, who came to know God through relationship, hospitality, and courage. His faith grew through encounter, and he chose to remain faithful no matter the cost. We are reminded that our relationship with God grows through the everyday moments of our lives. In the Gospel this week, Jesus calls people personally and lovingly, inviting them into deeper relationship and trust. Take a few moments now to place yourself in God’s presence. Prepare yourself for prayer by focussing on your breath…take a few deep breaths in…and then a few releasing breaths out. As you look back over the past week, invite God to walk with you through your memories. Where have you noticed moments of connection with God - in prayer, in acts of kindness, in conversations, or in quiet reflection? Where have you experienced God through others, through community, or by being attentive to those in need, as St Alban once was? Is there a particular moment that God is drawing your attention to - a time of grace, courage, or invitation? Now notice any moments of difficulty. Where did you experience tension, confusion, fear, or distance - from God, from others, or within yourself? Bring these moments honestly to God, trusting in God’s patience and mercy. Where have you felt drawn closer to God, or been challenged to deepen your relationship? Is there something God may be asking of you? What strength, courage, or guidance do you need, inspired by the example of St Alban? Rest for a moment in God’s loving presence, and end with thanks for the gift of faith — a relationship that continues to grow in both the ordinary and the challenging moments of life. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Friday 19 June 2026Today is Friday the 19th of June, in the 11th week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing Tu sei sorgente viva. “You are the living spring. You are fire, you are love. Come, Holy Spirit.” Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 6:19-23 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ‘The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!’ In today’s reading, Jesus speaks these words: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Take a moment to turn inward and to notice how your heart is today. What is occupying your heart most at this moment? Jesus challenges us to consider the value of much that we might consider desirable in everyday life. His simple observation reminds us of how easily worldly wealth can become worthless. Take a moment to consider: what do you truly treasure? What do you value most – hold onto, protect, or depend on for meaning and security? Hold these treasures honestly before the Lord. Jesus goes on to say that the eye is the lamp of the body. Where our attention is, what we take in, doesn’t just inform our physical or intellectual awareness – it shapes our inner life – our sense of who we are. It can lead us toward light — or draw us into shadows. Consider how the things you focus on help you to see more clearly, love more freely, trust more deeply? Or do they? As you listen to the reading once more, allow these questions to remain with you. Matthew 6:19-23 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ‘The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!’ “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” In this time of prayer, turn to Jesus and rest in the light of the Lord’s presence. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Thursday 18 June 2026Today is Thursday the 18th of June, in the 11th week of Ordinary Time. The Kyiv Chamber Choir sings The Lord’s Prayer. As you listen, begin this time today by praying the Lord’s Prayer in whatever language is most natural to you. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 6:7-15 ‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ‘Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.' In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus teaches his friends to pray. We have taken from this the prayer we now know as the Lord’s Prayer. It has become the prayer that many turn to when we don’t know how else to pray. Reflect on the place of the Lord’s Prayer in your life... “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do.’ Jesus’ prayer does not contain empty phrases, nevertheless, there are times when prayer becomes hurried or driven by a need to say something rather than trust that God knows our heart. When you pray, what do you hope prayer will do? As you listen to the passage again, take time to join with the disciples and to offer this prayer from the heart. Notice where each line or word speaks to you and take time to share this with the Lord. Matthew 6:7-15 ‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ‘Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.' “For your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Now, in your own words speak with God simply and in trust, as to a loving parent. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Wednesday 17 June 2026Today is Wednesday the 17th of June, in the 11th week of Ordinary Time. Enter into prayer now, becoming aware of God’s loving gaze upon you, as we hear Imbere Yanje by Judah Earle: ‘Answer me my God For it is to you that I pray I called to the Lord He heard my cry’. Unyishure Mwami wanje Kuko ari wewe nsenga N’bariye Uhoraho Ijwi ryanje uranyuvma Unyishure Mwami wanje Kuko ari wewe nsenga Ntawundi mfise atari wewe Data Ntamugisha mfise atari wewe S’mfise ichiza inyuma yawe Nashize imana imbere yanje Nashize imana imbere yanje Ntawundi mfise atari wewe Data Ntamugisha mfise atar’ wewe s’mfise ichiza unyuma yawe Nashize imana imbere yanje Answer me my God For it is to you that I pray I called to the Lord He heard my cry Answer me my Lord For it is to you that I pray I have no one else but you Father I have no one else but you I have no good apart from you I have placed the Lord ever before me I have placed the Lord ever before me I have no one else but you, Father I have no blessing apart from you I have no good apart from you I have placed the Lord ever before me Today’s reading is from the Second Book of Kings and we will hear the passage only once today. 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14 Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Then Elijah said to him, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.’ But he said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.’ Elisha said, ‘Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.’ He responded, ‘You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.’ As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, ‘Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!’ But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, ‘Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?’ When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over. In today’s passage, we watch as Elijah and Elisha walk together - teacher and disciple, mentor and companion - comfortable in both conversation and silence. Let

Tuesday 16 June 2026Today is Tuesday the 16th of June, in the 11th week of Ordinary Time. Jon Guerra sings, ‘Love Your Enemies’. As we prepare to pray these lines of scripture today, let this song carry you into prayer. Give to everyone who asks of you Be good to everybody, no matter who Do to them as you would have them do to you Love your enemies No greater love is there than this I laid down my life, and I would do it again I gave it to you, so give it to them Love your enemies Love, love, love your enemies And be children of your father in heaven Children of your father in heaven Turn the other cheek, put down your fists Give up your coat if someone asks for it What have you got that you were not given Give everything And when the sun sets on your labour Turning the tides, but not in your favour Love is a rescue And it'll save you For Love, love, love your enemies And be children of your father in heaven Children of your father in heaven If you love those who love you What good is it What good is it What good is it If you hate those who hate you What good is it Well, it's no good, no good at all If you love those who love you What good is it What good is it What good is it If you gain the whole world But lose your soul Well, it's no good, no good at all It's no good, no good at all Oh love, love, love your enemies And be children of your father in heaven Children of your father Children of your father Children of your father Children of your father in heaven Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 5:43-48 ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ In today’s passage, we are still listening to the Sermon on the Mount, with Jesus continuing to teach a deeper understanding of what the Law asks of the people. His words seem extravagant, asking far more than anyone might think possible. “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” What thoughts, what faces, what experiences come to mind when you hear this? “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Jesus describes the Father’s perfection as a willingness to be vulnerable, to offer grace and kindness simply because he is Father - not because of any worthiness in the one who receives. What feelings are arising in you? As you listen to the passage again, consider this indiscriminate, generous love that the Father pours out on all his children. Matth

Monday 15 June 2026Today is Monday the 15th of June, in the 11th week of Ordinary Time. Come, my way, my truth, my life. As you listen to this piece by Margaret Rizza and enter this time of prayer today, begin by inviting the Lord into your life. You might like to acknowledge your need for God, to show you the way, to teach you the truth, to give you life. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 5:38-42 ‘You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.’ In today’s passage, Jesus uses imagery to deepen the crowd’s understanding of the Law. We begin by reflecting on and listening to Jesus’ voice as he speaks to the people. How do you feel as you hear these words? Perhaps you sense a challenge in his voice... We sometimes hear that this challenge is not meant to be taken literally. Why would we allow people to walk over us and offer no resistance at all? Yet, during his arrest and trial, didn’t Jesus follow this teaching? What might this say to you about the reality of discipleship? How else might you respond to the reading, knowing that Jesus means exactly what he says? As you listen to the passage again, ask for the inner strength to nurture peace in your life. Matthew 5:38-42 ‘You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.’ End this time of prayer by speaking with the Lord about what has stirred within you. Ask for the grace to trust in God’s guidance for your life. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Sunday 14 June 2026Today is Sunday the 14th of June, beginning the 11th week of Ordinary Time. Eliza King and Rich Dicas sing, ‘Lord, I Love You More’. I love my family And I love this life that you’ve given me But Lord, I love you more I love the feeling of home And I love the safety of places I am known But still, I love you more Lord, I love you more At the end of the day It’ll be your face I see When I’ve finished running my race I will be falling at Your feet Singing You’ve been worth it all You are worth it all I want my life to count And to know I’ve made an impact somehow But Lord, I want you more And I want to work and achieve To enjoy the comfort it brings to me But still, I want you more Lord, I want you morе At the end of the day It’ll bе your face I see When I’ve finished running my race I will be falling at Your feet Singing You’ve been worth it all You are worth it all Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 9:36-10:8 When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’ Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.’ Matthew tells us that when Jesus saw the crowds harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd, he was moved with compassion. It’s out of that compassion that his whole mission flows. As you look at the world around you, what do you see when you look with the eyes of Jesus? What crowds or situations move you with compassion? Jesus sends out the twelve with a remarkable instruction: ‘You received without payment; give without payment.’ The gifts they have been given: healing, freedom, good news, are for sharing freely. What gifts do you feel you have received from God, and how do you feel called to share them with those around you? As the reading is repeated, notice what words or images stay with you. Perhaps it is the image of the harvest, of the sheep without a shepherd, or of the signs of the kingdom. What is God saying to you through

Saturday 13 June 2026Welcome to the Saturday Examen. This week we have been sitting with some of the most searching and most beautiful passages in all of scripture – the Beatitudes, the call to be salt and light, the law fulfilled not abolished, the mission of Barnabas and Saul, and the astonishing declaration that God is love. Today, the feast of St Anthony of Padua, patron of lost things, is perhaps an opportunity to reflect on what we may have lost or mislaid in our spiritual lives, and to let God find it again for us. The Beatitudes describe a way of being in the world that is wholly dependent on God. They are not achievements but gifts. As you look back over this week, have you been aware of any particular Beatitude at work in your life – any moment of poverty of spirit, of mourning, of mercy given or received, of peace-making? What gifts and graces do you wish to thank God for? Jesus calls his followers to be salt and light in the world – to have a distinctive quality about them that nourishes and illuminates rather than blending invisibly into their surroundings. As you look back at this week, have you been aware of living that call? Have there been moments when you felt your light dim or your saltiness fade? How do you find yourself responding to that awareness? The feast of Barnabas reminded us of the Spirit’s power to call and send us on mission, often through times of prayer and discernment. Today’s feast of Anthony of Padua reminds us that God is always at work seeking and restoring what is lost within us and within our world Is there a sense in which you feel called, sent or lost at this time in your life? How are you responding to that feeling? The reading from John’s Letter proclaimed that God is love, and that those who abide in love abide in God. As we end this week’s examen, what desires and graces do you wish to bring before this God who is love itself? What do you need, for yourself and for the world? Take all the time you need to share what’s in your heart. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Friday 12 June 2026Today is Friday the 12th of June, the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the 10th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing: This is the time, most Holy Spirit, when you, One with the Father and the Son, come to shed your light in the hearts of your faithful. Pause for a moment, and become aware of the Holy Spirit, present here, come to give life and light. Pause for a moment, and welcome that light into your life. Today’s reading is from the First Letter of John. 1 John 4:7-16 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Saviour of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and our reading gives us its deepest theological grounding: God is love. It’s not merely that God loves, but that love is God’s very nature. As you sit with those three words, what do they mean for you in the circumstances of your life right now? John writes that in this is love: not that we loved God, but that God loved us first. Our love for God and for one another is always a response to what has already been given. What difference does it make to begin with God’s initiative rather than your own? As you hear this reading again, notice where your heart is drawn. Perhaps it is to the simple declaration that God is love; perhaps to the image of God abiding in us and us in God. Stay with whatever draws you and let it become your prayer. 1 John 4:7-16 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, becau

Thursday 11 June 2026Today is Thursday the 11th of June, the feast of Saint Barnabas, in the 10th week of Ordinary Time. Liz Vice and Dee Wilson with Good Shepherd Collective sings ‘All Shall Be Well’. Let these words encourage you in your prayer today. Thank you for the sun Thank you for the moon Thank you for the stars above And the darkness too Bless you for your peace Bless you for your grace Bless you for your perfect love And your perfect ways And all shall be well All shall be well All manner of things shall be well Oh, use me as you will Remove my selfish pride Create in me a servant heart To bless your holy bride And when my work is done And the seeds are sown Please receive my spirit, Lord Welcome me home And all shall be well All shall be well All manner of things shall be well Today’s reading is from the Book of Acts. Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they associated with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians’. Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler, and Saul. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Today is the feast of St Barnabas, whose name means ‘son of encouragement’. Barnabas’ first response on seeing God’s grace at work in Antioch among people he didn’t know was to rejoice and then to encourage them to hold fast to the Lord. Who has encouraged the faith in your own life and how have you been an encourager of the faith of others? It’s striking that the Holy Spirit’s call to mission comes during a time of prayer and fasting, when the community is gathered and attentive to God. Have you ever had a sense of being called by God to a particular work or service, like Paul and Barnabas? How did that call come to you, and how did you respond? As we hear the reading again, notice the movement from joy to encouragement to mission. The grace of God is received and then shared. Where in this dynamic do you find yourself most at home – and where might God be inviting you to go? Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great

Wednesday 10 June 2026Today is Wednesday the 10th of June, in the 10th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing the Benedictus: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel! He has visited his people and redeemed them. He has raised up for us a mighty saviour in the house of David his servant, as he promised by the lips of holy men, those who were his prophets from of old. A saviour who would free us from our foes, from the hands of all who hate us. So his love for our ancestors is fulfilled and his holy covenant remembered. He swore to Abraham our father to grant us, that free from fear, and saved from the hands of our foes, we might serve him in holiness and justice all the days of our life in his presence.” Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 5:17-19 ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks 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. Jesus insists that he has come not to abolish but to fulfil. He comes to bring to completion what God has always been working towards in human history, embedded in the Covenant and the richness of prophetic tradition. What part of that tradition have you most lived and taught by your life? Over the coming days in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus will take the law and deepen it, moving from external compliance to interior transformation. He is interested not so much in what we do as in who we are becoming. As you think about your own life of faith, where do you feel God inviting you to move beyond outward observance to something deeper? Listen again to these words of Jesus about the law and the prophets being fulfilled. Notice what stirs in you – perhaps reassurance, perhaps challenge, perhaps questions. Allow whatever arises to be part of your prayer. Matthew 5:17-19 ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks 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. Jesus speaks of those who do and teach his commandments as great in the kingdom of heaven. He is calling us to integrity – a life in which our actions and our words reflect one another. Take time now to speak to God about where you feel that integrity most and least in your own life. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and

Tuesday 9 June 2026Today is Tuesday the 9th of June, in the 10th week of Ordinary Time. Veni, lumen cordium, veni sancte spiritus. ‘Come Holy Spirit. Come, light of our hearts.’ When we do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit prays in us. As I begin my prayer today, I pause for a few moments to ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten me, to invite the Holy Spirit into my life, into my mind and into my heart. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 5:13-16 ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.’ Yesterday Jesus gave us a portrait of blessedness. Today he tells us what that blessedness is for. In calling us salt and light for the world, he affirms what we already are in him. Does it feel true to you that you are salt and light? What makes it easy or difficult to believe this about yourself? Salt’s power lies in enhancing flavour that is already there: it becomes useless when it can no longer bring that flavour out. Jesus is inviting us to ask honest questions about how we are living. Is there any way in which you feel you may have lost some of your ‘saltiness’ – your distinctiveness as a follower of Christ? What would it take to recover it? As the reading is repeated, notice whether the images of salt and light speak to different parts of your life – your work, your relationships, your inner life. Where does God seem to be calling you to shine more brightly? Matthew 5:13-16 ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.’ Jesus says: let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. The goal is not self-promotion but God’s glory. Take time to speak to God about where your light is shining and where you feel it might be dimmed and why. Ask for whatever grace you need. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Monday 8 June 2026Today is Monday the 8th of June, the feast of Saint James Berthieu SJ, in the 10th week of Ordinary Time. The Porters Gate and Pray As You Go have been accompanying people’s daily prayers together for almost a decade. The Porter’s Gate will be joining us in London to celebrate our 20th anniversary year this Saturday 13th June with a celebration concert and evening of prayer at Holy Sepulchre Church at 7pm. Tickets are still available and we would love to see you there. We have written an album together called ‘Companion Songs’ and as we enter into prayer today, we will hear our first song, sung by Dee Wilson. It’s called ‘This Present Moment’; it is inspired by the prayer, ‘Patient Trust’, by Jesuit Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ. How does it speak to you? This present moment This present moment This present moment is filled with God. This in between This in between This between is filled with God This silent waiting This silent waiting This silent waiting is filled with God So trust in the slow work, Slow work, Trust in the slow work of God Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 5:1-12 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.' Today is the feast of St James Berthieu, the Jesuit martyr of Madagascar, who was killed in 1896 rather than renounce his faith. Jesus’ Beatitudes describe precisely the kind of person James became: poor in spirit, merciful, a peacemaker persecuted for righteousness’ sake. As you hear these blessings, which of them speaks most directly to where you are in your own life right now? The Beatitudes don’t describe qualities we achieve by our own effort – they describe the character of those who allow God to work in them. They are a portrait of Jesus himself. Which of the Beatitudes feels most challenging or alien to you at this time, and why is that? As we hear the reading again, let the Beatitudes wash over you slowly, one by one. Notice which words or phrases seem to light up for you and why. Matthew 5:1-12 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and af

Sunday 7 June 2026Today is Sunday the 7th of June, the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, beginning the 10th week of Ordinary Time. The Nuns of St Cecilia’s Abbey sing Cibavit eos, the entrance antiphon for today’s feast, Corpus Christi. ‘He fed them with finest wheat, and he filled them with honey from the rock.’ As I listen, I become aware of how God feeds me, how he cares for my needs and fills me with good things; how everything that is good in my life comes from God. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John. John 6:51-58 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread 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, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’ On this feast-day of the Body and Blood of Christ, the gospel invites us to ponder the meaning of the Eucharist in our own lives. Can you recall a celebration of the Mass, of the Lord’s Supper, has been of particular importance for you? What Jesus is offering here isn’t simply a gift for each of us as individuals but is intended “for the life of the world”. Ponder for a moment or two what “the life of the world” means in this context. How might your own individual life contribute to this wider life? As so often in John’s gospel, those who hear Jesus speak fail to understand him. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” It sounds like an invitation to cannibalism. How might you begin to try to explain to them what Jesus really means? As the passage is read again, listen to Jesus’s own explanation of what he means. What particularly catches your attention in what he says? John 6:51-58 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread 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, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just

Saturday 6 June 2026Welcome to the Saturday Examen. This Saturday prayer each week invites you to look back over the last seven days. The purpose is to come to a deeper awareness of how God has been working in and with you, in and with the world, in this past week. Start today’s prayer, then, by asking God to be able to recognise his presence in these days more fully. You might begin by singling out one thing, large or small, that you want to thank God for. Take a moment to express your thanks to God for that before we continue. Now let the days of the past week unfold again before your mind’s eye and see what you notice. Where have you experienced life, and light, and energy? Where have you been most fully yourself, most fully alive? Now notice how you’ve responded to God in these moments, moments when God’s presence is more than usually clear. Have you valued them, used them well? Have you perhaps at times been oblivious of them, or even misused the gifts that God has given to you? Whatever you see here, take a few moments to speak to God about it. Lastly, look forward to the week ahead. In the light of this time of prayer, what gift or gifts from God do you particularly need in the next few days? In these final moments of prayer, ask God for whatever it is that you need from him today. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Friday 5 June 2026Today is Friday the 5th of June, the feast of Saint Boniface, in the 9th week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach and Page CXVI sing, ‘Let Nothing Disturb You’. Don't let anything disturb you; Don't let this make you afraid.
 Though the worst is getting worse now, All these things will pass away. Every morning has a sunset; Every dark night has a dawn. Patience tells you you're not done yet: Day will come, and you'll go on. Though you're tired and you're frightened; Though your dreams are full of dread, 
 Ttill, the love of God suffices For whatever lies ahead. Though the world is bent on conquest, All its riches turn to rust.
 You have God, so you have all things: God alone will be enough. For the sands of time are shifting, 
 But God's love will never change.
 When that final veil is lifted, 
 You'll see you've always known his face. God is with you now at midnight; God is with you now at noon. If you fall or if you still fight, God will not abandon you. Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. 2 Timothy 3:10-17 Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, and my suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. Paul spells out the cost of discipleship in no uncertain terms to Timothy: “All who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”. What’s your first response to this? How far does it match your own experience? Even when he faces this persecution, Paul tells his younger friend and protégé, Timothy shouldn’t panic, but carry on living in the way that he has learned and believed in. Can you recall times when you’ve found that your own best course of action has been simply to move forward by doing what you believe in? Paul points to scripture as a solid foundation for his faith. When have you found the words of the Bible to be particularly important to you? Listening to these words of scripture again, notice especially what Paul says about his own life as a disciple of Christ. 2 Timothy 3:10-17 Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, and my suffering th