Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Today is Tuesday the 22nd of October in the 29th week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing Wait for the Lord: ‘Wait for the Lord, his day is near. Wait for the Lord, be strong, take heart.’ Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 12:35-38 ‘Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those servants. Waiting for someone to arrive. You know they’re coming, but you don’t know when. That’s the central image in this reading from Luke’s gospel. What’s it like to wait in that way? These words could refer to Christ’s return at the end of time. They could also be an encouragement to be on the lookout for the ways in which Jesus appears in your everyday life, in the people you meet and the situations that you face. How do they strike you when you hear them today? There’s a suggestion here that the wait could be a long one. What’s your experience of waiting for God to do something in your life – make God’s presence felt, give you a needed gift, answer a prayer? As you listen again, notice the promise Jesus makes to those who remain alert for the signs of his coming. Speak to Jesus now about whatever you are currently expecting, or on the lookout for, in your relationship with 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 Monday the 21st of October in the 29th week of Ordinary Time. Bifrost Arts sing, ‘Wisdom and Grace’. Teach us to number our days That we may apply our hearts to Your ways O! Teach us to number our days With wisdom and grace, wisdom and grace. Wisdom and grace, wisdom and grace You've been our home and our dwelling Our place in all generations. Before the earth or the mountains were formed, Lord, You were God. Teach us to number our days That we may apply our hearts to Your ways O! Teach us to number our days With wisdom and grace, wisdom and grace. Wisdom and grace, wisdom and grace Now the span of our lives, It is made of sorrow and labor As the days pass away like the grass How soon we are gone. Teach us to number our days That we may apply our hearts to Your ways O! Teach us to number our days With wisdom and grace, wisdom and grace. Wisdom and grace Let the work of our hands bring you praise, Set Your favour upon us. O establish the work of our hands, May Your kingdom come! Teach us to number our days That we may apply our hearts to Your ways O! Teach us to number our days With wisdom and grace, wisdom and grace. Wisdom and grace, wisdom and grace Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians 2:1-10 You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. This reading considers in turn the past, the present, and the future. Let’s take each of these in turn to lead us more deeply into prayer. First, Paul invites the people of Ephesus to remember a time when they were, or felt themselves to be, far from God. Can you recall a time like that in your own life? Now, says Paul, you have been placed alongside Christ. Not by your own doing, but by God’s freely-given gift. What does that feel like? 'And in the future, you, and each of us, will be sitting alongside Christ, as a witness to God’s merciful love.' How does that sound to you? As the passage is read again, notice the different ways in which Paul emphasises that this is all God’s initiative. Talk for a moment or two, finally, to the God who has raised you up in this way, or to Christ who has accepted you to sit alongside him. 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 20th of October, beginning the 29th week of Ordinary Time. Ex Cathedra, directed by Jeffrey Skidmore, sing Versa est in luctum by Alonso Lobo. Versa est in luctum: My harp is tuned for sorrow. ‘Tuning your harp for sorrow’ is a conscious, deliberate preparation for sadness to come. Today we will reflect on “the Suffering Servant”. You might like to pray into any sorrow you are experiencing at the moment, either for yourself, or for the world around you. Versa est in luctum cithara mea, et organum meum in vocem flentium. Parce mihi Domine, nihil enim sunt dies mei. My harp is turned to grieving and my flute to the voice of those who weep. Spare me, O Lord, for my days are as nothing. Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 53:10-11 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain. When you make his life an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days; through him the will of the Lord shall prosper. Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Yesterday we remembered the Jesuit martyrs of Canada. Today’s reading from Isaiah relates their sufferings and those of many Christian martyrs to those of the Suffering Servant. What thoughts and feelings come to you as you reflect on the reading? Many people in our present day suffer for their faith. How do you feel about being challenged or suffering in some way because of your commitment to God? What is your reaction when you think of what Jesus himself suffered for our sake? Let’s listen again to the reading. Notice what strikes you, either attracting or repelling you, allowing the words to resonate without trying to control your reaction. Jesus was willing to ‘suffer anguish’ for our sake, and many of his followers have done or are doing the same. Is there anything you want to offer him or say to him as you reflect on this? Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Welcome to the Saturday Examen. This week we have celebrated the feasts of mystics, evangelists and martyrs. Our readings have reflected on what commitment to the Gospel means in our daily lives. Teresa of Avila wrote: ‘Christ has no body now but yours […] Yours are the eyes with which he looks with compassion on this world […] Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.’ The words of the Gospels, Epistles and prophets invite us to deeper commitment and more authentic discipleship. Have you had any sense during this week of how that invitation is working in your life? St. Ignatius of Loyola wrote the Spiritual Exercises to help free others from ‘disordered attachments.’ The letter to the Galatians contrasts being driven by the tendencies of the flesh to being guided by the Spirit. How have this week’s readings helped you to think about living free from such compulsions and living in the freedom granted to us by the Spirit? The reading from Ephesians speaks of our being chosen by God to be holy. It stresses God’s saving desire to forgive all our sins and lavish the riches of grace on us. What has been your sense of being forgiven and graced this week? Are there any graces that you particularly long for, or is there anything for which you specially feel you need God’s compassion and mercy? St. Luke accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys in faithful friendship, despite many difficulties. The French Jesuit Jean de Brébeuf and his companions, whom we remember today, suffered martyrdom to bring the Gospel of Jesus to the Huron tribes of Canada. What sense have you had this week of being called to friendship with God and God’s people? How might that friendship be strengthened for you? Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Today is Friday the 18th of October, the feast of Saint Luke, in the 28th week of Ordinary Time. CalledOut Music sings, ‘Ese’, a song about singing thanks to God. What would you like to thank God for today? What shall I render? Tell me what I can offer (to You) How can I say that I'm grateful I have a Father who will Never ever fail me, no He never sleep or slumber He'll never fall my hand You have been closer than a friend And this, Your love will never end So I've come to say Ese, Ese Oluwa oh Ese, Ese Baba Ese, Ese Oluwa oh Ese, Ese Baba I'll give You my heart and affection Give You my love and devotion I'll never cease to worship You, my God So I've come to give my offering Many blessings fall on me Every step of the way I have felt Your presence You have been closer than a friend And this Your love will never end So I've come to say Ese, Ese Oluwa oh Ese, Ese Baba Ese, Ese Oluwa oh Ese, Ese Baba Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. 2 Timothy 4:10-17 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful in my ministry. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will pay him back for his deeds. You also must beware of him, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defence no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. Today’s reading gives us a glimpse into the practicalities and relationships behind Paul’s apostolic ministry. We get hints of frustrations and disappointments as well as of supportive friendships. What has supported or troubled your own life as a disciple of Jesus? Today we celebrate the feast of St. Luke, one of Paul’s closest friends and companions, who remained faithful when other companions failed him. Who have been your ‘friends in the Lord’, to whom you have offered such companionship? Take time to thank God for these life-giving friendships. As we hear the reading repeated, perhaps you can think back to those very early days of the spread of the Gospel. What would you want to say to Paul, Luke and the women and men who gave so much to spread the good news of Jesus across the world until it came to you? Whatever the thoughts and prayers that arise in your heart at this time, take a few minutes to speak to God and share whatever is uppermost in your mind. 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 17th of October, the feast of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, in the 28th week of Ordinary Time. Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus’. As you listen, begin to turn your focus on Jesus now, leaving all other cares at his feet. Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in His wonderful face And the things of the earth Will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace In the light of His glory and grace Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians 1:1-10 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. This wonderful reading encourages us to see ourselves as God sees us: holy, blameless, forgiven and lavished with God’s grace. How do you feel as you listen to these words? We are chosen and gifted with wisdom to know God’s mysteries. What do these words convey to you about yourself and others? You may find this reading consoling or challenging. Either way, it speaks about our human and Christian destiny in Christ, as lived by St. Ignatius of Antioch, whose feast we celebrate today. What do you find yourself wanting to say in response to the reading, whether words of gratitude and praise or doubt and question? Listen out as the reading is repeated for any particular words that speak to you in the depths of your heart. What does God seem to be saying at this time? There are huge ideas encapsulated within this apparently simple reading. What most inspires you to respond? Take time now to speak to God from your heart. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Today is Wednesday the 16th of October in the 28th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of Glenstal Abbey sing: ‘Attende Domine’: Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against you. As you sit here and listen to this ancient chant, which has been sung for generations, pause to remind yourself that God is present here, a God of forgiveness, gracious and loving, slow to anger, abounding in goodness. Take this moment to recognise God’s presence here, and to place yourself and all your cares in God’s loving hands. Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi Ad te Rex summe Omnium redemptor Oculos nostros Sublevamus flentes Exaudi Christe Supplicantum preces Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi Dextera Patris Lapis angularis Via salutis Ianua caelestis Ablue nostri Maculas delicti Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi Rogamus Deus Tuam majestatem Auribus sacris Gemitus exaudi Crimina nostra Placidus indulge Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi Tibi fatemur Crimina admissa Contrito corde Pandimus occulta Tua Redemptor Pietas ignoscat Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi Innocens captus Nec repugnans ductus Testibus falsis Pro impiis damnatus Quos redemisti Tu conserva Christe Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee. To Thee, highest King, Redeemer of all, do we lift up our eyes in weeping: Hear, O Christ, the prayers of your servants. Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee. Right hand of the Father, corner-stone, way of salvation, gate of heaven, wash away our stains of sin. Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee. We beseech Thee, God, in Thy great majesty: Hear our groans with Thy holy ears: calmly forgive our crimes. Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee. To Thee we confess our sins admitted with a contrite heart We reveal the things hidden: By Thy kindness, O Redeemer, overlook them. Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee. The Innocent, seized, not refusing to be led; condemned by false witnesses because of impious men O Christ, keep safe those whom Thou hast redeemed. Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee. Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. Galatians 5:18-25 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Paul draws a strong contrast between the flesh and the spirit. This is not the promotion of the dualism between the human and the spiritual. He is speaking of the ‘disordered attachments’ or tendencies that St Ignatius speaks of in the Spiritual Exercises. Those default things that we cling to perhaps a little too tightly or rely on a little too quickly. What is your initial reaction to this contrast? The list of fruits of the Holy Spirit encourages simple human responses. Paul encourages us to be more deeply human through the freedom that the spirit brings. What fruits have you experienced in your life or do you most wish for? As we hear the reading once more, listen out for any 'attachment’ or tendency from which you wish to be liberated, or any gift of the Spirit that you long to receive. The Holy Spirit lives within all our hearts. Take time now to speak to God, giving voice to your deepest hopes and desires. 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 15th of October, the feast of Saint Teresa of Jesus of Avila, in the 28th week of Ordinary Time. The nuns of Mary, Queen of Apostles, sing the hymn Jesu dulcis memoria. Sweet is the very thought of Jesus; giving true joy to the heart. But sweeter than the sweetest honey, is his very Presence. Jesu, dulcis memoria, Dans vera cordis gaudia: Sed super mel et omnia Ejus dulcis praesentia. Nil canitur suavius, Nil auditur jucundius, Nil cogitatur dulcius, Quam Jesus Dei Filius. Jesu, spes paenitentibus, Quam pius es petentibus! Quam bonus te quaerentibus! Sed quid invenientibus? Nec lingua valet dicere, Nec littera exprimere: Expertus potest credere, Quid sit Jesum diligere. Sis, Jesu, nostrum gaudium, Qui es futurus praemium Sit nostra in te gloria, Per cuncta semper saecula. Amen. Jesus, the very thought of Thee, With sweetness fills my breast; But sweeter far Thy Face to see And in Thy presence rest. Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame, Nor can the memory find A sweeter sound than Thy blest Name, O Saviour of mankind! O Hope of every contrite heart, O joy of all the meek, To those who fall, how kind Thou art, How good to those who seek. My tongue and words cannot express, Their usefulness is low But having felt is to believe, sweet Jesus' love to know. Jesus, our only joy be Thou, As Thou our prize wilt be; O Jesus, be our glory now And through eternity. Amen. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 11:37-41 While [Jesus] was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him; so he went in and took his place at the table. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. Then the Lord said to him, ‘Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you. So often in Jesus’ life and ministry a meal was the occasion for actions or words that shook his audience from their complacency. The Pharisee is shocked by Jesus bypassing religious observance, but he in turn challenges the Pharisee to true inner conversion. How does this reading challenge you? How do you experience the difference between the ‘outside and inside’ to which Jesus is referring? What do you understand by his words about ‘giving for alms those things that are within’? Is there something within you that you would want to offer God, or ask God to heal or change? As you listen to the reading again, listen out for words or images that strike you. What are they saying to you at this time? Today is the feast of Teresa of Avila, a mystic who wrote about finding God ‘among the pots and pans’. Whether you have had elevated or very ordinary thoughts in response to today’s reading, take time now to speak to God, asking for the graces you need or giving voice to whatever feelings arise in your heart. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Today is Monday the 14th of October in the 28th week of Ordinary Time. The Community of Taizé sing Christe Lux Mundi: ‘O Christ, light of the world, whoever follows you will have the light of life.’ Christe, lux mundi, qui sequitur te, habebit lumen vitae, lumen vitae Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 11:29-32 When the crowds were increasing, [Jesus] began to say, ‘This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgement with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here! Jesus speaks to his audience and to us in challenging prophet mode. How often do we try to tie God down, requiring certainty and proof before trusting in what God’s grace can do in us? Jesus points to the living faith of those outside the ‘club’ of the Church. How do his words challenge you? The words and actions of Jesus in the Gospels constantly reveal him to us as the God of surprises. Has Jesus ever surprised you out of your comfortable expectations? How did you react to that? What do you want to say to him about that? As we listen again to the reading, see if any particular words or ideas resonate for you. Do you feel prompted to any particular response or reaction? If you could talk to Jesus directly about his words in today’s reading, what would you want to say? Take time now to speak to him from your heart or to respond in whatever way is best for you. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Today is Sunday the 13th of October, beginning the 28th week of Ordinary Time. Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Come Thou Fount’. Come, Thou Fount of every blessing Tune my heart to sing Thy grace Streams of mercy, never ceasing Call for songs of loudest praise Teach me some melodious sonnet Sung by flaming tongues above Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it Mount of Thy redeeming love Here I raise to Thee an altar Hither by Thy help I'm come And I hope, by Thy good pleasure Safely to arrive at home Jesus sought me when a stranger Wandering from the fold of God He, to rescue me from danger Interposed his precious blood O to grace how great a debtor Daily I'm constrained to be Let Thy goodness, like a fetter Bind my wandering heart to Thee Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it Prone to leave the God I love Here's my heart, O take and seal it Seal it for Thy courts above Here's my heart, O take and seal it Seal it for Thy courts above Today’s reading is from the Book of Wisdom. Wisdom 7:7-11 Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called on God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. I preferred her to sceptres and thrones, and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her. Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem, because all gold is but a little sand in her sight, and silver will be accounted as clay before her. I loved her more than health and beauty, and I chose to have her rather than light, because her radiance never ceases. All good things came to me along with her, and in her hands uncounted wealth. Today, we have an opportunity to pray with wisdom. Spend a moment reflecting on wisdom itself… how would you describe or imagine wisdom? We hear of the preciousness of wisdom in this passage, preferred over beautiful gems and gold. Do you seek out wisdom in this way? As you hear the passage again, notice if a particular line stays with you… ‘Therefore, I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called on God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.’ Are you seeking understanding and wisdom in your life today? Why not ask God now? Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.