Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Welcome to the Saturday Examen. During this week, as we approach Advent, we’ve explored scriptures that refer to the end of times. Which passage or passages have particularly spoken to you this week? Why is this? What did you experience? What has brought you joy this week? What has surprised you? Give thanks to God for these special times. Where have you felt uncomfortable or resistant to God? Where have you struggled? Tell God about these times too. As we look towards the coming week which brings us into the season of Advent, ask for the grace to embrace all that God wishes to say to you, as the Spirit leads you deeper into the truth of Jesus Christ. 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.

Today is Friday the 29th of November in the 34th week of Ordinary Time. The Kyiv Chamber Choir sing In Thy Kingdom from One Thousand Years Of Ukrainian Sacred Music. (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 21:29-33 Then [Jesus] told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Jesus has been telling his disciples about the signs that indicate the end times are coming. He continues with this parable of the fig tree. What is Jesus wanting you to see in this parable? What does it tell you about the kingdom of God? What signs can you see today that show the kingdom of God is near? Give thanks that God is close at hand. 'My words will not pass away.' As you hear the passage again, focus on these words of Jesus. How do you react to this promise? As this time of prayer draws to a close, give thanks that the words of Jesus are to be trusted and will last forever. 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.

Today is Thursday the 28th of November in the 34th week of Ordinary Time. Page CXVI sings, ‘Hallelujah’. The kingdom of this world, shall become the kingdom of our Lord The kingdom of this world, shall become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, of His Christ and of His Christ, of His Christ Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah For the Lord God omnipotent, he reigneth Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah For the Lord God omnipotent, he reigneth Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah And He shall reign forever And He shall reign forever And He shall reign forever And He shall reign forever Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah All blessing and honor be, unto Him, forever, amen! All glory and power be, unto Him, forever, amen! All blessing and honor be, unto Him, forever, amen! All glory and power be, unto Him, forever, amen! Today’s reading is from the Book of the Apocalypse. Apocalypse 19:1-3,9 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, ‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power to our God, for his judgements are true and just; he has judged the great whore who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and he has avenged on her the blood of his servants.’ Once more they said, ‘Hallelujah! The smoke goes up from her for ever and ever.’ And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are true words of God.’ Imagine yourself among the great multitude in heaven. What can you see? What can you hear? Listen as the great ‘Hallelujahs’ rise into the air. Add your ‘Hallelujah’ to the others. What does your Hallelujah sound like combined with the others? What is stirring in you as you do this? ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb’. As you listen to the reading again, ponder what these ‘true words of God’ mean for you. In these last moments of prayer, give thanks for God’s ongoing invitation. 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.

Today is Wednesday the 27th of November in the 34th week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach sings, ‘Nothing to Fear’. Notice if any fear is lingering within you today and bring this to Jesus as you begin to pray. When you pass through the waters I will be with you And the depths of the river shall not overwhelm When you walk through the fire you will not be burned I am the Lord, I am the Lord And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear For I am with you always In the depths of your sorrow I wept beside you When you walked through the shadow I drew you near And yesterday, today, tomorrow, always the same I am the Lord, I am the Lord And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear For I am with you always And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear For I am with you always What can separate you from My perfect Love What can separate you from My perfect Love What can separate you from My perfect Love Do not fear Do not fear Do not fear Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 21:12-19 ‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls. What opposition to your faith have you experienced? Bring that experience to Jesus now. What do you sense Jesus wants to say to you about such opposition? What opportunities do you have to tell others the good news of Jesus? How do the words and wisdom of Jesus work within you as you do this? As you listen to the reading again, ask the Spirit to bring to mind someone who is currently suffering for their faith. Pray for them. As this time of prayer comes to a close, rest quietly with Jesus who promises that not a hair of your head will perish. 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.

Today is Tuesday the 26th of November, the feast of Saint John Berchmans SJ, in the 34th week of Ordinary Time. Checko Ankrah, Ethel Oppon and Nicky Lathbridge sing, ‘Most Holy’. (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Book of the Apocalypse. Apocalypse 14:14-19 Then I looked, and there was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like the Son of Man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand! Another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to the one who sat on the cloud, ‘Use your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.’ So the one who sat on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped. Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. Then another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over fire, and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, ‘Use your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.’ So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and gathered the vintage of the earth, and he threw it into the great wine press of the wrath of God. As we approach Advent, our readings focus on the end of time when all will come before the Lord for judgment. Using vivid and dramatic pictures, John depicts how this might be. As you hear these prophetic words, what is stirring in you? When you consider standing before God, what emotions arise in you? Excitement? Anxiety? Fear? Anticipation? Or something else? What do you want to say to Jesus about what you are hearing and feeling? Say it now. How does Jesus respond to you? As you listen to the passage again, imagine the immense love of God reaching out to gather you in. As we come to the end of this time of prayer, rest secure in the God of love who promises to 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.

Today is Monday the 25th of November in the 34th week of Ordinary Time. Eliza King sings, ‘Foolish and Ruined’. What precious thing could you offer Jesus today? The more that I store up, cling to and covet The less that I truly own Wiser is she who takes up her perfume Breaks the jar, let's it flow On her love she spends it all Many will say it's foolish But I have known love and I'm ruined To those who look on, it's wasteful But to You, it is beautifully given Love can look strange to religion Love can look strange to religion It cannot be bought with silver or gold But still will cost all I have But as treasure decays and earth fades away There won't be a thing that I lack So why would I hold my love back? Many will say it's foolish But I have known love and I'm ruined To those who look on, it's wasteful But to You, it is beautifully given Love can look strange to religion Love can look strange to religion Broken and poured out My love is fragrant now I will not withhold From the lover of my soul Broken and poured out My love is fragrant now I will not withhold From the lover of my soul Broken and poured out My love is fragrant now I will not withhold For my love, You're worth it all Many will say it's foolish But I have known love and I'm ruined To those who look on, it's wasteful But to You, it is beautifully given Love can look strange to religion Love can look strange to religion But I'd rather be foolish and ruined I'd rather be foolish and ruined Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 21:1-4 [Jesus] looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.’ Imagine yourself in this scene. You are in the Temple as people come and go bringing gifts. Who can you see? What do they look like? Suddenly you see a poor widow. How does she seem to you? What does she give to the treasury? What do you think about her gift? As you listen to what Jesus says about her, what is stirring in you? Listen to the reading again. Now it’s your turn to offer your gift to the treasury. What will you give? And what does Jesus say about your giving? In these last moments of prayer, think about what it would mean for you to give everything you have to God. 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.

Today is Sunday the 24th of November, the feast of Christ the King, beginning the 34th week of Ordinary Time. The University of Johannesburg Choir sing Ndisondela Kuwe, I come to you in prayer, almighty God. You are worthy to be praised. On this feast of Christ the King can I come before Christ in prayer and praise Him? Ndisondela kuwe (Ndisondela kuwe) Thixo (Ndiza ndithandaza) Thixo (Thixo uyingcwele) Ufanelwe ufanelwe nal'udumo Ndisondela kuwe (Ndisondela kuwe) Thixo (Ndiza ndithandaza) Thixo (Thixo uyingcwele) Ufanelwe ufanelwe nal'udumo Amen amen amen (Amen amen amen) Amen (Amen amen amen) Amen (Amen amen amen) Amen amen amen amen haleluya Amen amen amen (Amen amen amen) Amen (Amen amen amen) Amen (Amen amen amen) Amen amen amen amen haleluya Ndisondela kuwe (Ndisondela kuwe) Thixo (Ndiza ndithandaza) Thixo (Thixo uyingcwele) Ufanelwe ufanelwe nal'udumo Today’s reading is from the Book of the Apocalypse. Apocalypse 1:5-8 And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and madeus to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega’, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Today is the final Sunday of the Liturgical year and the feast of Christ the Universal King. Christ is the centre of our faith. In this passage, Jesus is portrayed as the "faithful witness" to the Father. The Sabbath offers us a time to rest in the Lord and to consider our own faithful witness. So perhaps this might be our first response - how am I called to be a faithful witness in my life? Jesus' sacrifice is a clear sign of his love for us. Take a moment to offer deep gratitude for his redeeming love, responding to this gift. "He made us a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father." We are reminded that we are part of the Kingdom, each of us called to live lives of service and love. How do I consider my life within the Kingdom? "Look! He is coming with the clouds." Jesus teaches us to live with a deep sense of hope and readiness, always attentive to God’s presence. Am I living with a heart open to encounter Him in the everyday of my life? "I am the Alpha and the Omega." How might I surrender my plans, my worries, and my desires to him? Listen again to the reading, and notice if any of the words we have been reflecting on are staying with you… As we end this time of prayerful reflection, take a moment to be in God’s presence, sharing in his grace and blessing. 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.

Welcome to the Saturday Examen. This week, we have heard of some wonderful encounters. Even when life is difficult, God is there, part of all we are. Maybe this could be the focus of our Examen today? Take a few moments today to see the past week with the Lord’s guidance. Prepare yourself for prayer by focussing on your breath…take a few deep breaths in…and then a few releasing breaths out. Notice how the change in breath brings stillness and an awareness of God’s presence. We might begin by asking for the wisdom and openness that also weaves throughout the scripture for this week. Cast your mind back over the week… where have you experienced this need of the Lord, a call to witness, a generosity of Spirit? 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 witnessed… Where, in the prayer journey of the week, have you found an opening of the heart? Where have you been challenged? Has there been something calling you to action this week? 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 gained 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.

Today is Friday the 22nd of November, the feast of Saint Cecilia, in the 33rd week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing, Encore un peu de temps: “In a little while I will make heaven and earth tremble. Then the One desired by all nations will appear. I will fill this temple with glory and to this place I will bring peace.” Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 19:45-48 Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; and he said, ‘It is written, “My house shall be a house of prayer”; but you have made it a den of robbers.’ Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard. Today is the feast day of St Cecilia, one of the earliest Christian Martyrs and the patron saint of musicians. Her refusal to compromise her faith and purity even in the face of persecution mirrors Jesus' determination to cleanse the temple and preserve its holiness. The choice of today’s gospel reading reminds us of her commitment to her faith despite the actions of those in authority. Picture Jesus walking into the temple courts. The scene is chaotic, filled with noise, money changers, and buyers. Feel the intensity in Jesus’ actions as He drives them out with the desire to restore holiness to this sacred space. We ourselves are meant to be houses of prayer. How does this scene challenge us to consider the distractions and attachments that may clutter our own sacred space within us? How might we keep our hearts open to God? We experience the opposition Jesus faces from the religious authorities, who want to destroy Him, yet the people are captivated by His words. How do we respond when Christ challenges the areas in our lives that need transformation? As we listen to the passage again, reflect on how Jesus is our Eternal Teacher, guiding us in our journey toward God. “My house shall be a house of prayer.” In a time of prayer, invite Jesus to walk with you each day, not only in times of need but in the quiet, ordinary moments of 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.

Today is Thursday the 21st of November, the feast of the Presentation of Our Lady, in the 33rd week of Ordinary Time. Nicky Lathbridge and Checko Ankrah sing, ‘High and Lifted’. You are worthy to be praised You are worthy to be praised You are high and lifted up You are high and lifted up You are high and lifted up Oh Lord You are high and lifted up We're surrounded by Your presence, oh God You are high and lifted up Your glory fills Your glory fills the space, oh God You are high and lifted up I hear the sound of angels I hear the sound of Heaven I see Your glory fill this place, oh God You are high, You are high and lifted up Today’s reading is from the Book of the Apocalypse. Apocalypse 5:1-10 Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’ And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’ Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation; you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God, and they will reign on earth.’ The Ignatian approach to prayer encourages imaginative engagement with Scripture. By immersing oneself into a biblical scene, a deeper connection with the Word of God, and the movements of the Spirit, may arise. Today is the feast of the Presentation of Our Lady. Within the cosmic imagining of the Apocalypse is the moment of Mary’s trusting ‘Yes’. The scene in this passage presents a powerful moment in heaven. God holds a scroll with seven seals in God’s right hand. In this scene, the scroll may suggest God's hidden wisdom. What emotions arise in you as you consider that no one seems worthy to open it? How might this speak to your own life’s journey? Imagine Christ, the Lamb, as he steps forward. He stands with strength and confidence. The Lamb may bear the marks of death but stands as the one who is worthy. Consider how you experience Christ in your own life? Perhaps, the Lion, strong and mighty, or the Lamb, humble and sacrificed? Where in your life might you need to embrace vulnerability as strength? The new song sings of sacrifice and freedom to people of “every tribe, language, and nation.” Consider how you are called… Perhaps there is some ministry where God is inviting you to serve? As you hear the passage again, place yourself in John’s shoes, weeping over a seemingly hopeless situation. How does it feel to hear the words, “Do not weep; Christ has triumphed”? How might this guide you in moments where God’s plan remains unclear? As this time comes to an end, perhaps invoke Mary’s presence as you pray for the willingness to place your life in God’s hands. 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.