Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Take a moment to find a feeling of stillness and safety within your body…within the presence of God. For today’s Examen, we will reflect on ‘fear’. Fear makes us withdraw from others and can sometimes make us spiral inwards. Faith overcomes our fears. It enables us to trust in God’s love so that we can go out to others with compassion and generosity. When have you really trusted in God’s goodness and been generous in giving? Remember such a time and savour it . . . When has fear made your heart closed to others’ needs? Acknowledge this before God and let God love you in your poverty. In your own words, take some time to pray that God will calm your fears, and deepen your trust, that you might be generous in loving the world. 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 8th of November in the 31st week of Ordinary Time. Juliano Ravanello sings, Attende Domine: ‘Look down, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against thee.’ 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. 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 Philippians. Philippians 3:17-4:1 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation so that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. It's all too easy to develop blind spots. We can absorb worldly values unthinkingly and fail to be true to Christ. The Lord is full of understanding and forgiveness. We know that. A brave thing to say to God is: show me my blind spots! Show me where I do not see things as you see them, Lord. Dare you make that prayer? When we come to God with a prayer like that, God is understanding, gentle, and full of kindness. We are not loved because we’re good at this! Spend a moment resting in this certainty: with all your blind spots and imperfections, you are utterly loved . . . Jesus turns everything upside down. Worldly glory becomes shameful; his shameful death becomes glory, and so on. As you listen again to this passage, notice all the mentions of the word ‘glory’. In the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius, he offers a petition to be said at the beginning of each hour of prayer: “Ask God for the grace that all your intentions and actions be purely for the service and glory of God.” What an aspiration. Are you brave enough to ask for that grace? That all your intentions and actions be purely for the service and glory 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.

Today is Thursday the 7th of November in the 31st week of Ordinary Time. Eliza King sings, ‘Foolish and Ruined’. 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 15:1-10 Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to [Jesus]. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. ‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’ Jesus asks what shepherd would leave ninety-nine to fend for themselves to find the one that was lost. The immediate answer might be: a really bad shepherd! Or perhaps a shepherd so intoxicated by love for the lost, that their determination to find it again is extravagant. Consider that quality of God’s love for you . . . And what woman would spend more on a party than she has saved by finding a single coin? One who really loves a party and really loves her neighbours. Consider that quality of God’s love . . . Tax collectors and sinners probably felt shame about their state, and yet, they flocked to Jesus. What quality does he have that means they want to be in his presence? Listen again and imagine Jesus telling these stories, probably with some amusement, and enjoy him sharing his lavish image of God with the crowd . . . Sometimes we just have to let God love us unconditionally. Spend a minute now, letting the God of Jesus look on you with extravagant love! 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 6th of November in the 31st week of Ordinary Time. Steffany Gretzinger sings, ‘Knowing You’. Can you make these your own words today, as you continue on your journey of following Christ? All I once held dear, built my life upon All this world reveres and wants to own All I once thought gain, I have counted loss Spent and worthless now, compared to this Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You There is no greater thing You're my all, You're the best You're my joy, my righteousness And I love You, Lord Now my heart's desire is to know You more To be found in You and known as Yours To possess by faith what I could not earn All-surpassing gift of righteousness Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You There is no greater thing You're my all, You're the best You're my joy, my righteousness And I love You, Lord Oh, to know the power of Your risen life And to know You in Your sufferings To become like You in Your death, oh Lord So with You to live and never die Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You There is no greater thing You're my all, You're the best You're my joy, my righteousness And I love You, Lord Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 14:25-33 Now large crowds were travelling with [Jesus]; and he turned and said to them, ‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions. Jesus wants us to love as well as we can love, knowing that this will bring suffering sometimes. Given that every life brings suffering, might you prefer a life whose hardships come from being close to Christ? Where has following him brought you challenges and difficulties already? Talk to him about this . . . Listen again to Jesus explaining the life of a disciple. Imagine the expressions on the disciples' faces as they listen to him . . . If you are in that crowd hearing this, what do you want to do about it? Take that to Jesus and share it with 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 Tuesday the 5th of November, the feast of All Saints of the Society of Jesus, in the 31st week of Ordinary Time. Oculi mei ad Dominum Deum: My eyes are on the Lord God. Wherever you are right now, on the way to work, walking in the park, sitting at home… what can you see? What can you see around you? Remember for a moment that God is present in all of this, that all of this has been made by God, and is loved by God, that God holds you, and all of this, in the palm of his hand. Oculi mei ad Dominum Deum Like the deer that yearns for running streams So my soul is yearning for my God My tears have become my bread day and night As I hear it said：'Where is your God?' Oculi mei ad Dominum Deum By day the Lord will send His loving Spirit By night I will sing praises to the God of my life Send out Your light and Your truth as my guide To lead me to Your holy ground Oculi mei ad Dominum Deum Then shall I go to the God of my joy Singing praise, praise on the lyre and the harp Why so downcast my soul? Put your hope and trust in my Saviour, my God Oculi mei ad Dominum Deum Today’s reading is from the Book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy 30:9-14 And the Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your soil. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, just as he delighted in prospering your ancestors, when you obey the Lord your God by observing his commandments and decrees that are written in this book of the law, because you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe. This is the reading for the feast of all the Jesuit saints. The first part of it needs careful handling. There is some truth in the claim that if we do as God asks of us, this will bring fruit, and sometimes that fruit includes prosperity. If it does, the blessing is to be shared generously. But sometimes the fruit is not material prosperity. The prosperity gospel is not the message of Jesus Christ in any narrow sense. Those saints throughout history who died for their faith, did God’s will, and did not prosper materially. Jesus, himself, was always poor! How does this message apply to a saint who gives their life for Jesus and for the gospel? In what other ways might they still prosper? Any gardener will tell you that if you look after the soil then plants will flourish, and that the opposite is also true. How might this passage apply to the human race with regard to justice for the poor and due care for the earth? As you listen again you might wonder how this message can helpfully be applied to how human beings treat each other and the world that sustains them. God wants the whole earth to be fruitful and to flourish and for no one to be left out. Can you glimpse that longing in God? Can you share in the longing? 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 4th of November, the feast of Saint Charles Borromeo, in the 31st week of Ordinary Time. CalledOut Music sings, ‘Joy’. Can you allow the joy of the Lord, found in this song, to soak into your heart today? My Light and salvation, it's You I've got a firm foundation in You, Lord You hold me daily, daily The hope for my soul I'm ever so safe here with You I got Grace everywhere I be With blessings falling on me There's nothing too hard for the God that I serve Tell me why should I be afraid? No matter what comes my way I'll overcome with a smile on my face I got that joy like a river flowing down to my soul I feel like dancing, I feel it in my bones I sing, I sing, Lord It feels like a dream 'Cause with You on my team I'm winning Nothing's going to hold me back Nothing's going to stop my praise Nothing's going to keep me silent I'll say it from the rooftops I got grace everywhere I be With blessings falling on me There's nothing too hard for the God that I serve Tell me why should I be afraid? No matter what comes my way I'll overcome with a smile on my face I got that joy like a river flowing down to my soul I feel like dancing, I feel it in my bones Joy like a river flowing down, down, down, down… I got joy like a river flowing down, down, down, down… I got that joy like a river flowing down to my soul Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. Philippians 2: 1-4 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. St Paul was particularly fond of the Philippian community and this letter resounds with joy. Considering Paul was imprisoned when writing it, the joy must be from the Holy Spirit. The Philippians are at risk of falling out with each other. Paul is concerned that they remain united. Even with this concern, his underlying joy remains. When have you experienced joy even though things were not as you would ideally want them to be? Can you get in touch with a memory of that and wonder at it? In the Spiritual Exercises, St Ignatius encourages the retreatant to pray for a share in the joy of the risen Christ. Here is a joy that can subsist in all circumstances. Imagine how joyful Jesus must be in the eternal now of being risen! He’s alive. It is accomplished. He sees the biggest of all pictures. And he is joyful. Can you see that in him? Listen again and imagine Paul, from his prison cell, joyful, because he knows this risen Christ. Joy is a gift, though we can choose to cooperate with the gift. Paul wanted the Philippians to know the joy of being one body that cared for each other with love. How is God inviting you to cooperate with joy? Look for one example and share that 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 Sunday the 3rd of November, beginning the 31st week of Ordinary Time. Checko Ankrah sings Hymn Medley. As you listen, can you make these words your own? (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 12:28-34 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ Then the scribe said to him, ‘You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that “he is one, and besides him there is no other”; and “to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength”, and “to love one’s neighbour as oneself”,—this is much more important than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.’ When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ After that no one dared to ask him any question. In today’s reading, Jesus is asked, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ Jesus replies with a clear answer that this is to love the Lord your God… is this something you find easy or difficult to live out? How are we to do this? With all your heart… With all your soul… With all your mind… With all your strength… And love your neighbour as yourself. Can you recall the ways that you show your love for God? As you listen to the reading again, you might like to reflect on why the first two commandments are about love… what could this tell us about the nature of God? You might feel that your love for God seems inadequate or weak, perhaps lacking in passion. Take some time now to share your thoughts with God, noticing how they are received… 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. In the past week we have been offered some images of the kingdom of God, looked at the spiritual battles and protection offered by the Lord, then celebrated All Saints Day. At this time of year, it may feel as if you are physically surrounded by darkness, especially if you're in the Northern Hemisphere as we notice daylight becoming less and the period of darkness extending more each day. As you begin to reflect on the past week now, you might like to carefully light a candle as a reminder that whatever spiritual darkness is at work, or whatever troubles we encounter in our daily life, Christ is the light of the world, and in John’s Gospel we read... ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it’. Sit with these words for a while. Now as you listen to some of the words from the past week, try to recall some of your moments in prayer: You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. [Jesus] said therefore, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.’ Someone asked him, ‘Lord, will only a few be saved?’ He said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. Therefore, take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Can you recall a moment this week when you felt especially close to God? Give thanks for this moment. Can you recall a moment when you felt distant from God? What was this like? Now, take time to consider the week ahead, asking the Lord for his blessing on you as you continue to love, seek and serve 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 Friday the 1st of November, the feast of All Saints, in the 30th week of Ordinary Time. The choir of Westminster Cathedral, directed by James O’Donnell, sing O quam gloriosum by Victoria: ‘How glorious is the kingdom, where all the saints rejoice with Christ.’ O quam gloriosum est regnum, in quo cum Christo gaudent omnes Sancti! Amicti stolis albis, sequuntur Agnum, quocumque ierit. O how glorious is the kingdom in which all the saints rejoice with Christ, clad in robes of white they follow the Lamb wherever he goes. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 5:1-12 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Today is All Saints’ Day, when we remember all the saints recognised by the Church and those who are not known. Our reading may help us to remember these before God as we pray. As each of the beatitudes are read again, which saints come to mind, for you? These may be the recognised saints of the Church, or perhaps people you know or have known. Let them come to mind as you listen. Blessed are the poor in spirit Blessed are those who mourn. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are those who hunger or thirst for righteousness. Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the pure in heart. Blessed are the peacemakers. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Take time to thank the Lord for the saints you’ve recalled, and for their example of love and faith. Can you also recognise yourself in the reading today among those who are blessed? As you come to the end of this time of prayer, ask the Lord to bless you, as one of the saints who lives for God 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.

Today is Thursday the 31st of October, the feast of Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez SJ, in the 30th week of Ordinary Time. Christy Nockels sings, ‘Head to Toe’. As you listen, become aware of God’s protection over you today… Little one, be strong In the power in the Lord And let the keeper of the stars keep Your heart forevermore Even though you might be small It is in you, His kingdom reigns And from your mouth, the Lord has made A fountain for His praise And with His righteousness, across your chest Salvation for your head The belt of truth, around you now With the shield of faith in hand And with His peace, upon your feet Everywhere you go His word will be the sword you keep You're covered head to toe You're covered head to toe Oh, the night is quickly fading And the day will soon break in And with the dawn, the Lord will give The grace you need to stand And turn your worries into songs Put on your covering of light And you will long outlast the darkness 'Cause He's with you in this fight And with His righteousness, across your chest Salvation for your head The belt of truth, around you now With the shield of faith in hand And with His peace, upon your feet Everywhere you go His word will be the sword you keep You're covered head to toe You're covered head to toe And with His peace, upon your feet Everywhere you go His word will be the sword you keep You're covered head to toe Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians 6:10-20 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak. ‘Put on the whole armour of God’. Begin today by imagining God slowly and deliberately laying each piece of his armour at your feet to equip you for the spiritual battles you may encounter in your Christian life. Can you see God's care for you in this? As the list is read with a pause in between each item of armour, take a moment to reflect on each piece as you put it on. Fasten the belt of truth around your waist. Put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. Take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation. The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. As you put these on, was there an item of armour that you felt you especially needed? Now listen again to the first part of the reading which describes the battle. As you consider the spiritual battles described in the reading, how does it feel to wear the armour that God has given you? Talk with God now, about any element from today’s reading that stands out to you, perhaps offering yourself afresh to God’s service. 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.