Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Wednesday 26 March 2025Today is Wednesday the 26th of March in the 3rd week of Lent. The Kyiv Chamber Choir sing In Thy Kingdom from One Thousand Years Of Ukrainian Sacred Music. 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. Today’s passage forms part of Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount. Perhaps you might imagine yourself on the mountainside, sitting among the crowd, observing their reactions to Jesus as He teaches and reflecting on your own response. Picture Jesus’ expression and tone of voice as He speaks about the law and the prophets. What do you notice? What response stirs within you? Jesus’ words remind us that the law is rooted in love, mercy, and justice, offering depth and meaning that transcends the sense of ‘obligation’ that can sometimes overshadow the Commandments. How do you approach the Commandments? Do you follow them out of obligation rather than love? How might Jesus be inviting you to live? Jesus emphasises the importance of even the smallest commandments, calling us not only to obey but also to teach others through our example. As you listen to the passage again, hear how Jesus gently guides you toward greater integrity—inviting you to live out even the smallest acts of kindness and compassion in your daily life. 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. “Whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Take this moment to speak with the Lord. Share your desires with him, and ask for the grace to recognise his presence, especially in the small, everyday moments of life. You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Tuesday 25 March 2025Today is Tuesday the 25th of March, the feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, in the 3rd week of Lent. Good Shepherd Collective sings a version of Ave Maria. As we celebrate the feast of the Annunciation today, you might like to begin placing yourself into the scene with Mary and Gabriel as you listen… Ave Maria Gratia plena Maria, gratia plena Maria, gratia plena Ave, Ave Dominus Dominus tecum… … In hora mortis nostrae In hora, hora mortis nostrae In hora mortis nostrae Ave Maria Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 1:26-38 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her. The story of the Annunciation invites us to enter into one of the most profound moments in Scripture. Shall we take this opportunity to step into the scene? See Mary, a young woman in her home. How do you imagine her? How do you envision the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel? Filled with light and majesty? Gentle and inviting? What emotions arise as you hear his greeting: “Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.” But also: “Do not be afraid.” Mary is given an extraordinary mission—one that will change her life forever. Feel the weight of this moment. How might you feel if you were in her place? Is there a sense of God inviting you to say “yes” in your life? Even in her uncertainty, Mary has the courage to ask, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” Are you hesitant to trust God’s plan? Do you have the courage to ask “how”? The angel’s affirmation—“For nothing will be impossible with God”—is enough for Mary. Let these words echo in your heart. Where in your life do you need to hear this assurance today? As you listen to the passage again, reflect on God’s desire to be at work in your life. How might you be inspired to surrender more fully to Him? Luke 1:26-38 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her. “For nothing will be impossible with God.” In this time of prayer, you may wish to speak to Mary about what you have experienced in this reflection and how you might respond to God’s call with the same openness and trust. Or, you may simply rest in God’s presence, carrying Mary’s ‘fiat’ as a source of inspiration for your own journey. You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Monday 24 March 2025Today is Monday the 24th of March in the 3rd week of Lent. The Cape Town Camerata sings, ‘Bless the Lord, O my Soul’, from Rachmaninoff’s Vespers. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 4: 24-30 And [Jesus] said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.’ When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way. In this passage, Jesus speaks to the people in the synagogue in Nazareth, his hometown. We may wonder: does he receive the response he was expecting? Imagine yourself as one of those in the synagogue. A familiar room filled with familiar faces. Perhaps there is a sense of anticipation, as the people know Jesus as "one of their own." What are you expecting to hear? What do you actually hear? How does the tone change as Jesus speaks of the generosity of God’s blessings? Can you imagine this from Jesus’ point of view? How might he feel, knowing that the truth he speaks angers those who know him best? "No prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town." Reflect on moments in your own life when you’ve felt misunderstood or rejected, especially by those closest to you. How did it feel to stand firm in your truth? Or perhaps there have been times when you resisted a challenging truth. Have you ever dismissed someone’s message because of a preconceived idea? As you listen to the passage again, notice how Jesus demonstrates remarkable peace and trust in God, even in the face of hostility. Luke 4: 24-30 And [Jesus] said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.’ When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way. Take a moment to consider where you find consolation in this passage. Spend some time in prayer with the Lord, sharing your thoughts and asking for the grace you need. You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Sunday 24 March 2025Today is Sunday the 23rd of March, the 3rd Sunday of Lent. Bethel Music sing a version of ‘Way Maker’ by Sinach. Today, we will reflect with Moses at the burning bush. You might like to begin by bringing this scene into your mind. Perhaps you can let the words of this song help you… You are here Moving in our midst I worship you, I worship you You are here Working in this place I worship you, I worship you Way maker, miracle worker Promise keeper, light in the darkness My God, that is who you are Way maker, miracle worker Promise keeper, light in the darkness My God, that is who you are You are here Touching every heart I worship you, I worship you You are here Healing every heart I worship you, I worship you You are here Turning lives around I worship you, I worship you You are here Mending every heart I worship you, I worship you Way maker, miracle worker Promise keeper, light in the darkness That is who you are You wipe away all tears You mend the broken heart You're the answer to it all Jesus Way maker, miracle worker Promise keeper, light in the darkness My God, that is who you are You are here Touching every life I worship you, I worship you You are here Meeting every need I worship you, I worship you Today’s reading is from the Book of Exodus. Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15 Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, ‘I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.’ When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then he said, ‘Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’ He said further, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Then the Lord said, ‘I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. But Moses said to God, ‘If I come to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your ancestors has sent me to you”, and they ask me, “What is his name?” what shall I say to them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am.’ He said further, ‘Thus you shall say to the Israelites, “I am has sent me to you.” ’ God also said to Moses, ‘Thus you shall say to the Israelites, “The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you”: This is my name for ever, and this my title for all generations. In the ancient world, fire was a mysterious presence from another world, a corridor between heaven and earth. It was fire which consumed the sacrifice, taking it to God’s abode. To this day, we often use a candle to signify that God is present. A burning bush on God’s holy mountain serves as a powerful reminder to Moses of a forgotten truth – that God is here, with us, in our world, seeking to draw men and women into relationship with Himself. So today I ask myself, when have I found myself powerfully reminded that God was with me? …When have I heard God call my name? … what helps put me in touch with that presence? As you hear the passage again now, notice how the sense of presence is also a challenge, a mission for Moses. He is already a shepherd, a guide, but what is being asked of him now is a lot more than he is used to. Is this also part of your recent experience of God’s presence? Then the Lord said, ‘I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. But Moses said to God, ‘If I come to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your ancestors has sent me to you”, and they ask me, “What is his name?” what shall I say to them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am.’ He said further, ‘Thus you shall say to the Israelites, “I am has sent me to you.” ’ God also said to Moses, ‘Thus you shall say to the Israelites, “The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you”: This is my name for ever, and this my title for all generations. Moses speaks intimately to God, expressing his doubts and concerns without any hint of embarrassment: take a few moments now to do the same, to get that same kind of conversation going with God. You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Saturday 22 March 2025Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Take a moment to become still…remembering that you are on a Lenten journey in this season… Become aware of how you are in that space. As we walk through Lent, many of the readings and our music have spoken of wilderness; of desert and dry land…of searching. As you look back over the week, where have you searched for God? Perhaps in a moment of desperation… maybe through discipline, fasting or in search of consolation. Let your mind reach back and look over your week. Where have you found that consolation? Where have you found the comfort and joy of Christ during your week? What about those moments that felt truly dry? Where you felt yourself trudging through, far from God maybe… As you look ahead on your journey, what would you like to ask from the Lord to help you continue on? You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Friday 21 March 2025Today is Friday the 21st of March in the 2nd week of Lent. Salt of the Sound sing, ‘O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus’. O the deep, deep love of Jesus Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free Rolling as a mighty ocean In its fullness over me Underneath me, all around me Is the current of thy love Leading onward, leading homeward To thy glorious rest above O the deep, deep love of Jesus Spread his praise from shore to shore How he loves us, ever loves us Changes never, nevermore How he watches o'er his loved ones Died to call them all his own How for them he's interceding Watching o'er them from the throne O the deep, deep love of Jesus 'Tis a heav'n of heav'ns to me And it lifts me up to glory For it lifts me up to thee Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46 ‘Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They said to him, ‘He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes”? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet. In this gospel, Jesus is talking to those religious authorities who will soon bring about his execution; but the story he tells is about the way they’re shunning God’s will, rejecting God’s project. Who do you think Jesus means when he talks about the landowner, the tenants? What does the vineyard represent? Jesus talks about “the stone that the builders rejected,” that becomes “the cornerstone” – hinting (more than hinting) that the true servant of God may turn out not to be the one we expect, but the one we reject, the person we don’t even think worthy of our consideration. Who are the people I don’t even think worthy of my consideration? The people I don’t bother with? Can I imagine for a moment how they might be part of God’s plan – a plan that I am rejecting? As you listen to the reading again, listen out for God speaking to you. Is there something that God is asking you to do today? Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46 ‘Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They said to him, ‘He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes”? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet. Speak to God now as freely as you can. In your own words, tell the Lord what all this has stirred in your heart, how you respond, or want to respond, to his word. You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Thursday 20 March 2025Today is Thursday the 20th of March in the 2nd week of Lent. The community of Taizé sing De noche iremos: ‘By night we search for the source of living water. It is only our thirst that guides our way.’ This time of prayer is an opportunity to quench that thirst a little - my thirst for God, the source of life - a chance to drink from the spring, from the source of living water, and be refreshed. De noche iremos, de noche que para encontrar la fuente sólo la sed nos alumbra sólo la sed nos alumbra. Today’s reading is from the Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah 17:5-10 Thus says the Lord: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord. They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse— who can understand it? I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings. If you’ve ever lived in a hot, dry climate, you know what a precious thing water is. You know what shrubs in the desert look like. Why does Jeremiah use this image in today’s reading? What does the “shrub in the desert” lack, that I also lack when I put my trust in “mere mortals” instead of God? Are there ways in which I might have “trusted in mere mortals” and made “mere flesh” my “strength”? Can I think of times when I’ve done that? – and what it felt like? But then the prophet imagines the same hot, dry climate and gives us the picture of “a tree planted by water”, to describe those who “trust in the Lord”. Is this you? Is this how you want to be? Do you feel that you “send out your roots by the stream”? Or do you find it difficult to “trust in the Lord”? As you listen to the reading again, and hear the Lord say to you “I, the Lord, test the mind and the heart, to give to all according to their ways”, what thoughts occur to you? Jeremiah 17:5-10 Thus says the Lord: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord. They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse— who can understand it? I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings. What would you like to say now to the Lord? What might God want to say to you today? You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Wednesday 19 March 2025Today is Wednesday the 19th of March, the feast of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the 2nd week of Lent. Harpa Dei sing, ‘Josef fili David’: ‘Joseph, Son of David’. On this feast day, take a moment to ponder the role of St Joseph in the Gospel story… is there a moment you admire? Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife. There is something quietly courageous about Joseph. In the culture of his time, he seems to be in an impossible situation but acts with immense integrity and compassion. He is faced with a life-changing question: an immense responsibility…. and then feels the presence of God, in some way very close to him, saying such familiar words: Do not be afraid…… ‘Do not be afraid’. ….. this message always seems to be one of the signatures that God is close to us. Have you sensed that – God in some way saying ‘Do not be afraid’ to you – in your own life-experience? The imagery of Joseph’s dreams is partly a way of describing his own gradual recognition of God’s good spirit consistently at work in his life. He learnt to listen to his dreams, so that when it came to making big decisions, he knew from sheer experience what to trust, even in difficult times. Can you sense a pattern of good moments in your life – not necessarily in actual dreams, but moments when you really felt you could trust that you were being led in the right direction or being drawn into a good decision, even if it was a difficult time? As you listen to the reading again, put yourself in Joseph’s shoes. Imagine what it was like for him. How he felt. Notice his faithfulness, his desire to do the right thing, his readiness to listen to God, his quiet courage… Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife. Why not allow yourself to dream for a moment or two of all your hopes… of all the people you would want to keep safe… of any situations in which you would be glad of God’s encouragement and reassurance. You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Tuesday 18 March 2025Today is Tuesday the 18th of March in the 2nd week of Lent. The choir of Portsmouth Cathedral sing Psalm 42 – Like as the Hart desireth the waterbrooks, so longeth my soul after thee, O God. Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks: so longeth my soul after thee, O God. My soul is athirst for God, yea, even for the living God: when shall I come to appear before the presence of God? My tears have been my meat day and night: while they daily say unto me, Where is now thy God? Now when I think thereupon, I pour out my heart by myself… …The Lord hath granted his loving-kindness in the day-time: and in the night-season did I sing of him, and made my prayer unto the God of my life. I will say unto the God of my strength, Why hast thou forgotten me: why go I thus heavily, while the enemy oppresseth me? My bones are smitten asunder as with a sword: while mine enemies that trouble me cast me in the teeth; Namely, while they say daily unto me: Where is now thy God? Why art thou so vexed, O my soul: and why art thou so disquieted within me? O put thy trust in God: for I will yet thank him, which is the help of my countenance, and my God. 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 Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 23:1-12 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practise what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. Even people who know hardly anything about the Gospels are aware that when you hear the phrase “scribes and Pharisees” there’s trouble coming. We wait for the word “hypocrite” to appear, and purr with self-satisfaction when Jesus says, “they do not practice what they preach”, like we’ve just heard him say here. But who is Jesus talking about? Not just people who lived a long time ago; not even just religious professionals. Could those sharp words from Jesus be about you and me? The “scribes and the Pharisees” are said to “tie up burdens and lay them on the shoulders of others”. Could it be me that Jesus is talking about? Do I ever act in that way? Is it me who likes to have my status made clear to others? Or do I really want to become a humble servant, as Jesus suggests? Now listen again to the reading, and imagine yourself there, in the crowd, listening to Jesus. Are you just a bystander in this scene, or do Jesus’s words have something to do with you? – something to say to you? Matthew 23:1-12 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practise what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. Talk to God, now, as Father of all human beings. What would you like to say to God? What do you hear God saying to you? You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen

Monday 17 March 2025Today is Monday the 17th of March, the feast of Saint Patrick, in the 2nd week of Lent. The Porter’s Gate sing, ‘Blessed are the Merciful’. Blessed are the merciful For they shall receive mercy, mercy Forgive us as we forgive those who sin against us Lord have mercy on us Show Your mercy through us Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 6:36-38 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back. This season of Lent is a time when we’re helped to prepare for Easter, by fasting, by giving to those in need, and by prayerfully reflecting on the direction our life is taking. As you heard those words of Jesus, was there anything that struck you, perhaps about the direction in which your life is going? Did it make you feel uncomfortable – and, if so, why? Did something inside you say, “Yes – that’s it!” – and, if so, why? Jesus told us in that reading, “be merciful, just as your Father is merciful”. Do you think of God as merciful and generous, or as someone who is out to condemn? What do you think of the picture of “a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over into your lap”? How does it make you feel about God? What about the words, “do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven”? Do you think that we human beings find it easier to condemn people than to forgive them? Why do you think that might be? Listen to the reading again. It’s not very long, so listen carefully, and as you hear it, notice if you feel invited to say anything to God in response to what you hear. Luke 6:36-38 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back. Now, if there was anything you wanted to say to God, say it. Speak to God freely and openly. Tell God whatever is in your heart. You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen