Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Monday 21 July 2025Today is Monday the 21st of July, in the 16th week of Ordinary Time. The St Thomas Music Group sing the Prayer of St Theresa by Margaret Rizza. 'Let nothing disturb you, nothing distress you. While all things fade away, God is unchanging. Be patient, for with God in your heart, nothing is lacking. God is enough.' Today’s reading is from the Book of Exodus. (Exodus 14:5-18) The Israelites have escaped Egypt but Pharaoh has relented and decided to go after them. The Israelites lose confidence and complain to God and to Moses. But God has a plan. How might we pray with this text? How might we work with images of God that are perhaps not quite our own? Let’s try imaginative contemplation with the story just as it is. Remember, if you can’t enter the scene imaginatively, don’t force it, but allow yourself to consider the events however you can . . . Today, you’ll hear the passage interspersed with our reflective questions... Be amongst the Israelites, having escaped the slave-labour of Egypt, you are set free . . . an adventure full of hope lies ahead; God goes before you and your friends are at your side . . . catch the mood of liberation . . . When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the minds of Pharaoh and his officials were changed towards the people, and they said, ‘What have we done, letting Israel leave our service?’ So he had his chariot made ready, and took his army with him; he took six hundred picked chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt and he pursued the Israelites, who were going out boldly. The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, his chariot drivers and his army; they overtook them camped by the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.  Imagine the most powerful army on earth gathering all of its resources in a bid to find and smite you. Hear the sound of the chariots; see the weapons glinting in the sun; smell the sweat of the horses; feel the vibration of the air around and earth beneath your feet; taste the sour loathing in the hearts of the Egyptians . . . As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, ‘Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, “Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians”? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.’ But Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.’  Now consider the fear of the people and find yourself with them. The most powerful army on earth has come for you and all seems lost. Your freedom has been short-lived. The adventure is over. Hopes are dashed. Hear the complaints against Moses and against God . . . Hear Moses say, “Do not be afraid, stand firm.” . . . Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground. Then I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and so I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his chariot drivers. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained glory for myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his chariot drivers.’  Focus on Moses who is in conversation with God . . . watch him move in the direction of the sea with his staff in hand . . . see him raise it aloft . . . watch what begins to happen . . . Stay with this scene as long as you wish . . . at some point, speak with God about slavery and oppression; speak with God about liberation and justice . . . Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Sunday 20 July 2025Today is Sunday the 20th of July, beginning the 16th week of Ordinary Time. Josh Garrels sings, ‘Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus’. Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in His wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His Glory and Grace Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 10:38-42 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’ Let's enter the home of Martha and Mary. The reading could draw our attention to our presence with the Lord, both in prayer and our distractions. For our prayer today, we will focus on the words of Jesus as he speaks to Martha. 'The Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things."' Think for a moment about the times when you desire or plan to be with the Lord in prayer...which things tend to distract you? Take a moment to talk with the Lord about these things. Jesus says, ‘There is only need of one thing.’ Imagine that you turn to look at Mary as she sits at the Lord’s feet, fully focused. Upon seeing this scene, notice which thoughts or feelings come to mind. Try to remain in this scene as you listen to the reading again. Luke 10:38-42 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’ Jesus tells Martha, ‘Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’ Think of a time in prayer when you have been able to be fully present to the Lord. What was this like? As you come to the end of this time of prayer, you might like to offer your prayer life to the Lord, perhaps seeking the ‘better part’ or a deeper desire for 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

Saturday 19 July 2025Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Wherever you are today, have a look around you...what do you notice? Notice the contrasts between dark and light in your space. Earlier this week, in one of our readings, we encountered God in the wilderness, as he spoke with Moses at the burning bush. Perhaps you can see this moment of prayer with the Lord as a burning bush encounter as you settle into prayer. If you are able, you might like to take off your shoes, to acknowledge this time to be ‘holy ground’. As you feel the floor or ground beneath your feet, recall with the Lord the darker moments this week such as times you felt most distant from God. Offer these dark moments to the Lord.... Now recall the times of light, when you have felt closest to God. Give thanks to the Lord for the times when you felt his presence with you... Now, a list of excerpts will be read from the readings during the week, with a little space for reflection between each reading. Try to listen with your heart, and notice what stirs within you as you hear these words: ‘Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.’ Then Jesus began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent.  When the Lord saw that Moses had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And Moses said, ‘Here I am.’  God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am.’ God said further, ‘Thus you shall say to the Israelites, “I am has sent me to you.” I tell you, something greater than the temple is here.  At the burning bush today, notice what you hear from the Lord in the light of his presence and in the silence of your heart. You might like to stay here in the presence of the Lord for a little longer today, enjoying his light and his love 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

Friday 18 July 2025Today is Friday the 18th of July, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time. Jon Guerra sings, ‘I See the Birds’. Can you make these words your own today? Do not be anxious about your life I heard you say to me You dress the lilies You leave the weeds The sower of the seed Am I in charge of my own mind Or is it in charge of me? I see the birds up in the air I know you feed them I know you care So won't you teach me How I mean more to you than them In times of trouble Be my help again You've held me sturdy You've led me on Through years of joy and grief So don't you leave me All on my own You know me, Lord I'm weak I see the birds up in the air I know you feed them I know you care So won't you teach me How I mean more to you than them In times of trouble Be my help again Oh, be my help again Don't you worry, child Don't you worry, child He won't leave you by yourself In times of trouble, he's your help I'm letting go of my own life I'm letting go again Be ever present Lord, won't you be my closest friend In times of trouble Be my help again Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 12:1-8 At that time Jesus went through the cornfields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath.’ He said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests. Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests in the temple break the sabbath and yet are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”, you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.’ Today we hear that the disciples were hungry, and even though they are with the Lord who miraculously feeds the thousands, they are hungry, so together as they walk through the cornfields, they take the edge off their hunger by plucking the heads of grain. Imagine this scene now and perhaps their relief at finding food to eat on their journey. We might recall that in Deuteronomy, the farmers were commanded by God to leave some of their harvest behind for travellers and the poor, so that they might have something to eat. Where in your life have you encountered God’s provision for you, in everyday ways or perhaps unexpected blessings? Remember and enjoy these moments, giving thanks. For the disciples, their snack is interrupted by the critical voices of the Pharisees, complaining, ‘Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath.’  How does this criticism feel as it lands in a moment of grace? As you listen to the reading again, notice Jesus’s reply. Matthew 12:1-8 At that time Jesus went through the cornfields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath.’ He said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests. Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests in the temple break the sabbath and yet are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”, you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.’ Jesus tells the Pharisees, ‘I tell you, something greater than the temple is here.’ In the time of Jesus, the temple was regarded as the highest, most holy of holy places, so these words must have been shocking for the Pharisees. But perhaps for us, as we appreciate Jesus’s description of himself, we can take a moment to rejoice in his Holy presence... in love, wonder and joy in the Lord of the Sabbath and in all his provision. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Thursday 17 July 2025Today is Thursday the 17th of July, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time. One Hope Project sings, ‘Abba Father’. Abba Father, breathe on me Wash me in Your glory When faith is frail You carry me In Your presence I am free Today’s reading is from the Book of Exodus. Exodus 3:13-20 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.’ Go and assemble the elders of Israel, and say to them, “The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying: I have given heed to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt. I declare that I will bring you up out of the misery of Egypt, to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.” They will listen to your voice; and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, “The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; let us now go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.” I know, however, that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all my wonders that I will perform in it; after that he will let you go.' In today’s reading we return to the burning bush and the conversation between God and Moses and God reveals his name, ‘I am who I am’. God tells Moses, ‘So tell the Israelites that I AM has sent me to you.’ We might wonder what Moses thought of this name...can you let the name ‘I AM’ reveal something to you about the nature of God? ‘Thus you shall say to the Israelites, “The Lord,[b] 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 forever and this is my title for all generations’. Take a moment to rest in the name of I am... perhaps imagine the Lord repeating his name to you. As you listen to the second part of the reading, listen carefully to the instructions God gives to Moses, and notice what most strikes you. Go and assemble the elders of Israel, and say to them, “The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying: I have given heed to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt. I declare that I will bring you up out of the misery of Egypt, to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.” They will listen to your voice; and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, “The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; let us now go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.” I know, however, that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all my wonders that I will perform in it; after that he will let you go.' ‘I have given heed to you,’ God tells Moses. God has seen the suffering of the Israelites and unfolds his rescue plan. ‘I am’ loves and cares for his people. Spend a little more time in the company of this compassionate God. Where do you long to see this God at work in our world today? Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Wednesday 16 July 2025Today is Wednesday the 16th of July, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time. Ethel Oppon and Nicky Lathbridge, with Checko Ankrah sing ‘Most Holy’. Oh, most holy We exalt you We exalt you Hallelujah, hallelujah Yes, to the most high God Who is worthy of all power and all praise Hallelujah, hallelujah We give you the highest praise For You are worthy to be praised You are worthy, You are worthy We bless your name, we glorify You You are worthy of the glory, Lord Hallelujah, hallelujah What an awesome God, what a holy God you are Heaven and earth declare that you are a worthy God Hallelujah, hallelujah Today’s reading is from the Book of Exodus. Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12 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. ‘The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.’ But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ He said, ‘I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.’ Take a moment today to imagine that you are with Moses as he tends his flock. What is the ground like beneath your feet? ... What does the wilderness look like?... What sounds can you hear? Imagine that you are walking beside Moses and his sheep, beyond the wilderness to Horeb, the mountain of God. What would you like to say to Moses as you walk? Suddenly, you notice a strange flame coming out of a bush, but the bush doesn’t seem to be burning up...feeling curious, you approach the bush with Moses. Listen now to the voice of God calling, ‘Moses, Moses.’ And Moses’s reply, ‘Here I am.’... Can you echo these words in your heart too? Now the Lord says to Moses, 'Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’  Imagine that you also remove your shoes as you stand on this holy ground with Moses. Feel your bare feet on the rough ground. Now the voice of God says, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ The reaction of Moses on hearing this is to cover his face for fear of looking at God. Take a moment to make your own response. As we approach the end of our prayer time, continue to spend the final moments of prayer in this holy place in the presence of 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

Tuesday 15 July 2025Today is Tuesday the 15th of July, the feast of Saint Bonaventure, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time. The Community of Taizé sing Kristus, din Ande: “Jesus, your Spirit in us is a wellspring of everlasting life.” Kristus, din Ande i oss är en källa med porlande vatten. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 11:20-24 Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.’ Our reading today may sound and feel rather desolate; ‘Woe to you...’ Jesus says to the cities that have witnessed and experienced his miraculous works yet have not repented. As you reflect on this now, try to get a sense of the emotions Jesus might have been experiencing and expressing in this moment... Spend a moment reflecting on any feelings you can identify with... perhaps frustration or anger, or other feelings you have felt, when your deeds or actions haven’t been understood. As you listen to the reading again, imagine those gathered around Jesus as they hear his reproach. What impact might his words have on them? Matthew 11:20-24 Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.’ As we approach the end of this time of prayer, speak to the Lord about any thoughts or feelings that have emerged for you today. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Monday 14 July 2025Today is Monday the 14th of July, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing 'Venite filii, audite me'. Come, my sons and daughters, listen to me…. Come to the Lord and be enlightened; and your faces will not be put to shame.’ (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 10:34-11:1 ‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. ‘Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.’ Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities. In today’s reading, Jesus speaks about challenges in our relationships, perhaps challenges that we are reluctant to hear, or that are difficult to understand. ‘I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother.’ Can you recall times when being a follower of Jesus has driven a wedge between you and someone else in your family? Or maybe between a friend or colleague? Jesus says, ‘Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.’ As a follower of Jesus, what does it mean to you to take up your cross? Talk with the Lord about this now. As you listen to the reading again, notice what Jesus says about welcome for his followers. Matthew 10:34-11:1 ‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. ‘Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.’ Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities. ‘Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me’. Try now, to call to mind a time when you’ve received a warm welcome as a Christian. What was this like? Perhaps you can picture Christ, who dwells within you, also being welcomed. Take a moment to give thanks for all those who welcome you and encourage you in your faith. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Sunday 13 July 2025Today is Sunday the 13th of July, beginning the 15th week of Ordinary Time. Jon Guerra sings, ‘Love Your Enemies’. Give to everyone who asks of you Be good to everybody, no matter who Do to them as you would have them do to you Love your enemies No greater love is there than this I laid down My life, and I would do it again I gave it to you, so give it to them Love your enemies Love, love Love your enemies And be children of your Father in Heaven Children of your Father in Heavеn Turn the other cheek, put down your fists Give up your coat if somеone asks for it What have you got that you were not given? Give everything And when the sun sets on your labor Turning the tides, but not in your favor Love is a rescue and it'll save you For love, love Love your enemies And be children of your Father in Heaven Children of your Father in Heaven If you love those who love you, what good is it? What good is it? What good is it? If you hate those who hate you, what good is it? Well, it's no good, no good at all If you love those who love you, what good is it? What good is it? What good is it? If you gain the whole world, but lose your soul Well, it's no good, no good at all It's no good, no good at all Oh, love, love Love your enemies And be children of your Father in Heaven Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 10:25-37 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’ This lawyer asks a question that, as Jesus shows, he really already knows the answer to. Perhaps you know an answer to it as well. What, do you think, must you do to inherit eternal life? The question, though, prompts one of Jesus’s best-known stories, the Good Samaritan. Although you’ve no doubt heard it many times before, what caught your attention as you heard it today? If you ask Jesus here and now the key question here, “Who is my neighbour?”, what response does he give you? As the passage is read again, simply notice how the different characters in the story react to the situation that they find themselves in. But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’ Jesus ends by saying “Go and do likewise”. At the end of this time of prayer, how do you want to respond to 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

Saturday 12 July 2025Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Our prayer this week has looked at a variety of people on a journey. Jesus, his apostles, Jacob and his family and, tomorrow, the Good Samaritan. Let, then, this week’s examen give you a chance to look at where you find yourself on your own journey at the moment. First, ask God to show you more clearly where you are, and how you are, at this stage of your life. If you use the familiar image of your life as an unfolding landscape, how do you see where you are just now? A serene and peaceful valley? A rocky desert? A dark wood? A high lookout in the mountains? What image first comes to mind? Whether you can recognise it or not, God has somehow brought you to this place. How do you want to respond to God about where you find yourself just now? What are the gifts that God has given you for this place in particular? How have you been using these gifts recently? What sense do you have of the next steps on this journey? Take a few moments to ask God for whatever you need as you move forward. 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