Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Sunday 16 March 2025Today is Sunday the 16th of March, the 2nd Sunday of Lent. Steffany Gretzinger sings, ‘Show Me Your Face’. Moses stood on a mountain Waiting for You to pass by You put Your hand over his face So in Your Presence, he wouldn't die And all of Israel saw the glory And it shines down through the age Now You've called me To boldly seek Your Face Show me Your face, Lord Show me Your face And then gird up my legs That I might stand in this holy place Show me Your face, Lord Your power and Your grace Your power and grace I would make it to the end If I can just see Your face David knew there was something more Than the ark of Your presence In a manger Messiah was born Among kings and peasants And all of Israel saw the glory And it shines down through the age Now You've called us To boldly seek Your face Show me Your face, Lord Show me Your face And then gird up my legs That I might stand in this holy place Show me Your face, Lord Your power and Your grace Your power and grace I will make it to the end If I can just see Your face I know I will make it to the end If I can just see Your face Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 9:28-36 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. Peter, James and John see Jesus in a new way. They see his glory – in other words they see in Jesus, the splendour of God. For a moment, imagine yourself with them on that mountain and sense what it must it have been like. Moses and Elijah are there with Jesus. They represent all that God has done, through history, to show his great love for his people. In what way do you need to know God’s love today? As you listen again to the reading, keep in mind what Peter says, ‘it is good for us to be here’. How might it be good for you to be present to this scene? Luke 9:28-36 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. At the end of the reading, the disciples find themselves alone with Jesus. You too can be with him in the same way, now. What do you want to say to him? What might he want to say 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

Saturday 15 March 2025Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Become quiet and still. As we prepare to look back at the week just gone, you might like to ask God to come and be with you now, wherever you find yourself. Begin to ask the Holy Spirit to show you the events of your week…. you don’t have to strain for this! Just allow moments to naturally come to the surface. What do you notice? Begin sifting through these to find the movements of God… which moments caused you to feel closer to the Lord, or a lightness of heart? You might like to find a way to express your thanks for these… Begin now, to find the movements of what St Ignatius called, the “bad spirit”… anything that led you downwards, or further from God. Did anything cause you to spiral inwards, or feel separated from God in some way? Make space to express any sorrow for these moments, whether through your own actions and words, or by situations you found yourself in… Finally, ask God to strengthen you for the week ahead, asking for whatever you need at this time. 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 14 March 2025Today is Friday the 14th of March in the 1st week of Lent. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing Ecce quam bonum: “How good and how pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in unity! It is like precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes.” Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 5:20-26 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire. So, when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. This passage can be a difficult one. When hearing it, your mind might take this moment as an opportunity to anxiously bring up every disagreement you’ve ever had! These words of Jesus are not intended to make us all feel guilty. They are meant rather to encourage us towards unity with those around us. Ponder for a moment if there is anyone who has anything against you. Consider, is there any way that you can reach out in reconciliation towards anyone who has anything against you? If there is anyone you need to make your peace with, but you can’t think of any way, ask God to enlighten you and suggest something. In the light of all this, and maybe thinking about that person, listen to the reading again. Matthew 5:20-26 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire. So, when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. Can you ask God now for the grace to hold back from judging, and to live in peace and harmony with others? 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 13 March 2025Today is Thursday the 13th of March in the 1st week of Lent. The King’s Singers sing Spem in Alium by Thomas Tallis. ‘I have never put my hope in any other but in you’. As I begin this time of prayer today, can I speak those words to God? Can I place all my hope, all my trust, all my faith in him? Spem in alium nunquam habui Praeter in te, Deus Israel Qui irasceris et propitius eris et omnia peccata hominum in tribulatione dimittis Domine Deus Creator caeli et terrae respice humilitatem nostram I have never put my hope in any other but in Thee, God of Israel who canst show both wrath and graciousness, and who absolves all the sins of man in suffering Lord God, Creator of Heaven and Earth Regard our humility Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 7:7-12 ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.' Jesus urges us to pray with trust and perseverance. He promises that God will give us good things if we ask for them. Have you experienced this to be true? What has been your experience of praying to God for what you want? What good things has God given you that you want to give thanks for? Can you do that now? How do you feel about asking God for your needs? If this has been an obstacle or a problem for you, what would you want to say to God about this? Listen once more to the passage. Listen to it, not as a quotation from scripture, but as Jesus speaking to you. Matthew 7:7-12 ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.' What do you want to ask God for 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 12 March 2025Today is Wednesday the 12th of March in the 1st week of Lent. It is the Spirit of love who gives life. God is the source of all life, the one in whom we live and move and have our being. As you look around you now, can you sense God’s Holy Spirit where you are? Perhaps in the stillness…or even in the busyness of living activity: other people, animals, nature… perhaps, within yourself? Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John. John 3:1-10 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? ‘No one can see the kingdom of God without being born anew.’ What do you think Jesus means? Nicodemus takes Jesus literally: ‘can one enter one’s mother’s womb a second time and be reborn?’ But Jesus means something more mysterious, more spiritual. What do you think it would feel like, to be taught like this by Jesus? ‘The wind blows where it chooses … so it is with everyone … born of the Spirit’. Where is the wind blowing for you now? Nicodemus comes by night. Why do you think John adds that detail? Listen again to this story, and think about what it’s like to have a secret conversation like this with Jesus, in the dark. John 3:1-10 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? Spend some time now trying to talk with Jesus, or even Nicodemus, asking that you might somehow sense the Spirit in your 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 11 March 2025Today is Tuesday the 11th of March in the 1st week of Lent. The University of Johannesburg choir sing a setting of Psalm 42: As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. 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. The picture we sometimes get of prayer is of us on our own, calling out to heaven – and all too often getting no answer. No wonder so many people find it a chore! Can you think of times when your prayer has felt like this? Lonely? Empty? Dry? The image in this reading is very different – prayer is like being gently rained on so that our soil becomes fertile, our leaves are brought back to life, our thirst quenched… Can you look back to a time when prayer was like that? When you just sat there and let God soak in? When did prayer last leave you with a feeling of being refreshed, moistened, nourished? As you hear the words of Isaiah once again, allow yourself to enjoy the image of God’s word as being like rain – notice what kind of rain most speaks to you of prayer – is it a torrential downpour? Light drizzle? Or something more gentle, more subtle, more intimate… let God draw you into the prayer He is trying to pray in you… 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. Turn now to a final few minutes of prayer with the Lord. Just being in his presence is something to relish, something which satisfies the soul. If you find yourself drawn to say something by way of petition or thanksgiving then let that come spontaneously, like water vapour rising back to the skies after a warm day… 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 10 March 2025Today is Monday the 10th of March, the feast of Saint John Ogilvie SJ, in the 1st week of Lent. Jon Guerra and Sandra McCracken with the Porter’s Gate sing, ‘The Kingdom of Jesus’. How does this song speak to you today? To what shall we compare the Kingdom of Jesus if not a seed? It's small, it's sown, it's tended and grown and it's stirred in you and me Its branches never break and its fruit never withers His Kingdom is not of this world or of any Kingdom whose ruler's face is on a penny He comes to make all things bright and put a new wine in us He's chosen the small things to outlast the great The meek and the merciful to shine through the hate Though it seems some days that Hell and its gates are prevailing Oh, say can you see the kingdom within us Is the Kingdom of Jesus? To what shall we compare the spirit of the hour if not a sword? It frees us, unites us, enslaves and divides us and violence, help us Lord His Kingdom is not of this world or of any Kingdom whose ruler's face is on a penny He comes to make all things bright and put a new wine in us He's chosen the small things to outlast the great The meek and the merciful to shine through the hate Though it seems some days that Hell and its gates are prevailing Oh say can't you see we have one allegiance? It's to the Kingdom of Jesus Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 25:31-46 ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’ That sense of not knowing what it was one was doing right – or, indeed, wrong – is one of the most striking elements in this remarkable tableau. Where might you see this playing out in the world at the moment? What else struck you as you listened? The theme seems to be that Jesus is offering a panoramic view of the kind of world he longed to see, the kind which would bring glory to God and which he himself would therefore approve and applaud. Think back over your life so far, however long or short; where can you see glimpses of the kind of actions that would bring God glory? We would miss the point entirely if we were to read it as a list of ‘rules to be obeyed’. Jesus doesn’t envisage us keeping a list of these actions and carefully ticking them off as we do them. He wants us to be the sort of people who do these things, as we say, ‘naturally’ – though actually it will be a kind of ‘second nature’ – without stopping to think about them. As you hear the reading again, try and call to mind anyone you know like this… Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’ This tableau thus stands, at the end of the last long discourse in Matthew’s gospel, as the final statement of something which has been there all through. The houses on the rock and on the sand, the wheat and the tares, the good fish and the bad, and now the sheep and the goats. Matthew has highlighted the fact that Jesus intended his followers to be utterly different, people who reflected God and his love in a whole new way into the world. Can you take this with you into the world in a whole new way 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

Monday 10 March 2025Today is Monday the 10th of March, the feast of Saint John Ogilvie SJ, in the 1st week of Lent. Jon Guerra and Sandra McCracken with the Porter’s Gate sing, ‘The Kingdom of Jesus’. How does this song speak to you today? To what shall we compare the Kingdom of Jesus if not a seed? It's small, it's sown, it's tended and grown and it's stirred in you and me Its branches never break and its fruit never withers His Kingdom is not of this world or of any Kingdom whose ruler's face is on a penny He comes to make all things bright and put a new wine in us He's chosen the small things to outlast the great The meek and the merciful to shine through the hate Though it seems some days that Hell and its gates are prevailing Oh, say can you see the kingdom within us Is the Kingdom of Jesus? To what shall we compare the spirit of the hour if not a sword? It frees us, unites us, enslaves and divides us and violence, help us Lord His Kingdom is not of this world or of any Kingdom whose ruler's face is on a penny He comes to make all things bright and put a new wine in us He's chosen the small things to outlast the great The meek and the merciful to shine through the hate Though it seems some days that Hell and its gates are prevailing Oh say can't you see we have one allegiance? It's to the Kingdom of Jesus He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world He who is in us is greater and He's overcome the world Oh His Kingdom is not one of slander or rage but one that is ruled by the Lamb who was slain And is worthy of wisdom and honour and glory and strength No pain, no division, no public disgrace Will compare with seeing the smile on His face As He welcomes the poor as children with places at the table Not a death, nor threat, nor power can ever separate us From the love of God forever in Christ Jesus Everything shall pass away but not the Word that's within us It's the Kingdom of Jesus Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 25:31-46 ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’ That sense of not knowing what it was one was doing right – or, indeed, wrong – is one of the most striking elements in this remarkable tableau. Where might you see this playing out in the world at the moment? What else struck you as you listened? The theme seems to be that Jesus is offering a panoramic view of the kind of world he longed to see, the kind which would bring glory to God and which he himself would therefore approve and applaud. Think back over your life so far, however long or short; where can you see glimpses of the kind of actions that would bring God glory? We would miss the point entirely if we were to read it as a list of ‘rules to be obeyed’. Jesus doesn’t envisage us keeping a list of these actions and carefully ticking them off as we do them. He wants us to be the sort of people who do these things, as we say, ‘naturally’ – though actually it will be a kind of ‘second nature’ – without stopping to think about them. As you hear the reading again, try and call to mind anyone you know like this… Matthew 25:31-46 ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’ This tableau thus stands, at the end of the last long discourse in Matthew’s gospel, as the final statement of something which has been there all through. The houses on the rock and on the sand, the wheat and the tares, the good fish and the bad, and now the sheep and the goats. Matthew has highlighted the fact that Jesus intended his followers to be utterly different, people who reflected God and his love in a whole new way into the world. Can you take this with you into the world in a whole new way 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

Sunday 9 March 2025Today is Sunday the 9th of March, the first Sunday of Lent. John Lucas sings, ‘Son of God’, a setting of today’s reading of the temptation of Christ in the wilderness. As you listen, begin by composing the place… what does the wilderness look like to you? Follow Jesus into that place now… If you're the son of God Throw yourself down Surely your father will heed your call Surely the angels will catch your fall If you're the son of God Then why do you starve? Turn the rocks into loaves of bread Find pleasure in the evening within your bed If you're the son of God Then why is there pain? Are you weak, or are you not good? Oh will you be defeated by a cross of wood? If you're the son of God Vanquish my enemies Protect my borders and securities And crush the heads of those Who'd rob my peace Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 4:1-13 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.” ’ Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’ Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. In today's Gospel, we see Jesus led into the wilderness and, after forty days, being tempted. The first and third temptations start with the words 'If you are the Son of God…' In both these temptations, Jesus is asked to prove himself by doing certain actions. Are there times when you similarly are asked to prove yourself in your own life? Take a moment to dwell on how Jesus responds to the temptations with words from scripture: "man does not live on bread alone"; "you must not test God"; "you must serve the Lord your God". Do any of these words particularly speak to you today? As you listen to the passage again, reflect on how Jesus responds when he is tempted. Luke 4:1-13 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.” ’ Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’ Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. A simple way of praying can be to repeat helpful words from scripture to oneself during times of difficulty. Are there particular verses from scripture which sustain you in times of temptation? Perhaps you might like to reflect on them during this season of Lent. 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

Saturday 8 March 2025Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Take some time to rest in the presence of God. Recall what has happened to you in the course of the week. Don’t feel you have to strain to remember everything… Just allow what you naturally remember to rise to the surface. Is there anything that stands out? Bring it into conversation with God. Is there anyone for whom you would like to give thanks to God? Take some time to do so now. This week has been the beginning of Lent. On Ash Wednesday we heard words from the Prophet Joel: 'return to me with all your heart'. How do these words speak to you now? Let yourself dwell on whatever seems important, eventually bringing that into conversation with Jesus. Looking ahead, what seems to be important for the days to come? Is there anything you would like to ask for as the new week begins? 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