Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Today is Thursday 6 June, in the 9th week of Ordinary Time. ‘Love your God with all your heart and soul and mind’. As Paul Zach with the Porter’s Gate sings ‘The Greatest Commandment’, reflect on these words as you begin a time of prayer today… Love the Lord your God With all your heart and soul and mind And love your neighbour as yourself Love the Lord your God With all your heart and soul and mind And love your neighbour as yourself Let us be known, let us be known By the way we love Let us be known, let us be known By the way we love Love the Lord your God With all your heart and soul and mind And love your neighbour as yourself Love the Lord your God With all your heart and soul and mind And love your neighbour as yourself Love the Lord your God (Let us be known) With all your heart and soul and mind (Let us be known) And love your neighbour as yourself (By the way we love) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 12: 28-32 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”. How do you respond to Jesus’s description of the first commandment, to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength? What does that mean to you? How do you feel as you listen to Jesus’s words? How do you want to respond to the commandments to love God and neighbour? As you listen to the reading again, imagine the encounter between this scribe and Jesus. Notice the attitude of Jesus towards the scribe, how he looks at him, the way he speaks to him, and how Jesus reacts to this man's wisdom. Take a few minutes to talk to Jesus about the feelings his words stir in you, and how you want to respond. 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 5 June, the feast of St Boniface, in the 9th week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing Tui amoris ignem. ‘Holy Spirit, come to us. Kindle in us the fire of your love.’ Veni Sancte Spiritus Tui amoris ignem accende Today’s reading is from St Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. ‘Fan into a flame the gift that God gave you’: what gift are you aware of that God has given you, that needs to be fanned into a flame, kindled, nurtured…. ? Can you ask God for help with this? The Spirit of Timidity… and the Spirit of Power, Love and Self-Control: do you recognise those different spirits? Do you see them in yourself? As you listen to the reading again, notice which words or phrases strike you and how you respond in your mind and heart. Talk to God about what has struck you in this reading and how it affects your life and your relationships. 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 4 June, in the 9th week of Ordinary Time. One Hope Project sings, ‘Good Work In Me’. What good work is God doing in your life at the moment? Everything I have within And all that is before me Meet me in this broken place Transform it for Your glory I lay this life downfall into You now A sacrifice of praise Surrender to You, my loving Savior I trust in Your great name You will meet me in my hurting, Jesus You are all I need Your love will satisfy I trust the plans You have for me I will stand upon the promise You've not forsaken me You walk beside me in the waiting You are doing a good work in me Now when I'm faced with trials I will choose your joy each morning I trust You, though I'm terrified So use me for Your glory I lay this life downfall into You now A sacrifice of praise Surrender to You, my loving Savior I trust in Your great name You will meet me in my hurting, Jesus You are all I need Your love will satisfy I trust the plans You have for me I will stand upon the promise You've not forsaken me You walk beside me in the waiting You are doing a good work in me You are a God of transformation Your presence carries restoration You deserve my praise There's power in Your name You are a God of transformation Your presence carries restoration You deserve my praise There's power in Your name You'll meet me in my hurting, Jesus You are all I need Your love will satisfy I trust the plans You have for me I will stand upon the promise You've not forsaken me You walk beside me in the waiting You are doing a good work in me Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 12:13-17 Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. And they came and said to him, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?’ But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, ‘Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.’ And they brought one. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they were utterly amazed at him. Clearly, Jesus isn’t easily fooled by those crafty Pharisees and Herodians! He knows how people can conceal an insult by wrapping it in false flattery. “Teacher, we know that you are sincere … and teach the way of God” … Have there been times when someone has spoken to you in this way? What was that like for you? Perhaps Jesus felt the same way… Sometimes a person may seem to have more knowledge than us, or a special gift, or a particular experience that we might not have. When this happens, are you able to just rejoice in the gifts of others? Or do you find this difficult? As you listen again to the passage, notice how Jesus deals with this flattery and trickery – notice his attitude to all of this. Why not speak to Jesus now about how he handles his critics? Tell him what you like or admire about his approach. Ask him to help you be more like him in that particular way. 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 3 June, the feast of Saints Charles Lwanga and Companions, in the 9th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing Domine praevenisti eum. ‘Lord, you advanced to meet him with rich blessings. You have placed a crown of precious stones on his head.’ As I listen, can I ponder for a moment the blessings the Lord bestows on me, all the things for which I want to give thanks to God? Domine, praevenisti eum in benedictionibus dulcedinis : posuisti in capite eius coronam de lapide pretioso. Vitam petiit, et tribuisti ei longitudinem dierum in saeculum saeculi. Today’s reading is from the Second Letter of Peter. 2 Peter 1: 2-7 May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants in the divine nature. For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. The reading speaks of the gifts that God has given us. Take a moment to ask God to show you some of the gifts in your life – of friends or family or situations or personal gifts, all the things that bring you life, energy and lightness of heart. As you consider these gifts, ponder how they can help you to come closer to God, how they offer you opportunities for faith, generosity, patience or love. Listen again to the reading. As you listen, notice if there is a particular gift that you desire, or one that particularly appeals to you. Take a few minutes now to talk to God as you might to a friend, giving thanks for the gifts in your life and asking for what you desire as you come to know God himself. 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 2 June, the feast of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ, beginning the 9th week of Ordinary Time. The Cape Town Camerata sings Ukuthula; Peace in this world of sin the blood of Jesus brings. Redemption in this world of sin the blood of Jesus brings. Ukuthula kulo mhlaba wezono (Aleluya) igazi likaJesu linyenyez’ ukuthula Usindiso kulo mhlaba wezono (Aleluya) igazi likaJesu linyenyez’ usindiso Ukubonga kulo mhlaba wezono (Aleluya) igazi likaJesu linyenyez’ ukubonga Ukukholwa kulo mhlaba wezono (Aleluya) igazi likaJesu linyenyez’ ukukholwa Ukunqoba kulo mhlaba wezono (Aleluya) igazi likaJesu linyenyez’ ukunqoba Induduzo kulo mhlaba wezono (Aleluya) igazi likaJesu linyenyez’ induduzo Peace in this world of sin (Halleluja) the blood of Jesus brings peace Redemption in this world of sin (Halleluja) the blood of Jesus brings redemption Praise (gratefulness) in this world of sin (Halleluja) the blood of Jesus brings praise (gratefulness) Faith in this world of sin (Halleluja) the blood of Jesus brings Victory in this world of sin (Halleluja) the blood of Jesus brings Comfort in this world of sin (Halleluja) the blood of Jesus brings Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 14: 12-16, 22-26 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.’ So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’ When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. More than half of today’s reading is spent telling of the preparations for the last Supper of Jesus, a Passover Meal. Any memorable meal is likely to take more time in preparation than in the eating. Think back to any really pleasantly memorable meal you have experienced. What made it joyful? Imagine you are one of the disciples at that last meal with Jesus and he hands you a piece of bread which he says ‘this is my body’ and a cup of wine which he says ‘this is my blood’. How do you feel about this? As you listen again to this reading, and to the words of Jesus, be aware of how you feel, of the effect his words have on you. What do you want of Jesus? – his body and blood, his very self and spirit? Take time to speak to Jesus now, as one friend speaks to another. 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 Saturday 1 June, the feast of St Justin, in the 8th week of Ordinary Time. Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Take a moment to become still and present to God on this Saturday… You might like to take a moment to become aware of the thousands of other people praying this Examen today alongside you. Take a moment to pray for some of those people… We began this week with the song, ‘Just A Closer Walk With Thee’. Today, we will take time to reflect on our proximity to God and others throughout the week. Spend a few moments now letting your mind look back on the week behind you… Just let memories arise naturally without forcing them… When in these moments did you feel close to God? What might have led to this feeling? When did you feel close and connected to other people? Can you find God there too? When did you feel further away from God? As if it was harder to grasp or find God? Were there moments of feeling far from others too? What was that like? Although our feelings can change, we know that God has promised us God’s presence through the Holy Spirit. Spend these closing moments now, asking for whatever you need to recognise God’s presence in the week ahead… 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 31 May, the feast of the Visitation of Our Lady, in the 8th week of Ordinary Time. Magnificat anima mea Dominum. My soul glorifies the Lord. As you begin this time of prayer today, what do you want to give thanks for, to praise God for? For these few moments, allow your mind to dwell on those things for which you are grateful to God. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 1:39-56 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’ And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’ And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home. This is a moving account of a meeting between two delighted women. Both want to celebrate their lives at this time, the gifts they have received. What are the images or words that stay with you from their encounter? How do you react to their delight? In what ways do these women draw you into prayer? Perhaps you are drawn to praise God with them. Take a few moments to be with God. Let yourself be present to God with whatever you are feeling, whether or not you share this mood of delight. As you listen again to Mary’s words, notice how you feel in response to her prayer. Once again let yourself be present to God, noticing how you are feeling, and now let those feelings draw you into conversation 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 Thursday 30 May, in the 8th week of Ordinary Time. Salt of the Sound sings Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. It is in these words that we admit we are not perfect, but that we have faults and failings, and trusting in God’s infinite, inexhaustible mercy and compassion, we place ourselves, with all our strengths and weaknesses, in God’s hands. And I can do the same now, as I begin to pray. Today’s reading is from the First Letter of Peter. 1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12 Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honourably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honourable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge. Being “a royal priesthood”, sounds like being part of an exclusive club. But this club isn't about power or status; it's about service and solidarity. It's a community, a spiritual house, in which each one of us is bricks and mortar. How do you feel about the part you play in that community? Do you see yourself, as Peter tells us here, as part of the priesthood of Jesus? Peter ends by stressing God’s mercy – without which none of this would be possible. What things today stop me from accepting God’s mercy? As you listen to the reading again, reflect on this great gift of mercy. Let God’s mercy fill you. Perhaps you can talk to God now about your reactions to this message. What are the ways in which you play your part in this “royal priesthood”? What are the ways in which you show the grace and the 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 Wednesday 29 May, in the 8th week of Ordinary Time. Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing: ‘Inhliziyo Zethu’: ‘You will make my heart pure’. A pure heart is a heart that is open to God, that doesn’t seek its own advantage, but wants whatever God wants. As I enter into prayer today, I ask for that openness of heart. I ask the Lord to lead my heart to him, to guide me in the way he wants me to go. (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 10:32-45 They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.’ James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ And he said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ They replied, ‘We are able.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.’ When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ It’s a natural human instinct to want reassurance, to want to know that our efforts won’t be in vain. We often want to know that we will result in something! At work, we set objectives, targets and indicators. Jesus asks us to put our faith in him, in God, not in the things of this world. What stops you from putting your faith in God? “You don’t know what you are asking” says Jesus. How often, when you have set yourself objectives, have you not seen the full picture? Can you imagine yourself in James and John’s shoes for a moment? If you knew what you were really asking, would you still ask the question? As you listen to the reading again, continue to imagine yourself as James or John. How do the other disciples look at you and react to what you are saying? How does Jesus react? How does he say these words to you, and how does all this make you feel? In one of his sermons, St Oscar Romero talked about us being “prophets of a future not our own” and that “we are servants, not the master-builder”. How do you feel about being in this position of serving, or being asked to serve, without knowing the full picture? Can you talk to God about this, 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.

Today is Tuesday 28 May, in the 8th week of Ordinary Time. Nóirín Ní Riain, with the monks of Glenstal Abbey, sings the Beatitudes. (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 10:28-31 Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’ Peter’s exasperation is evident here. We all want some recognition of our sacrifices now and again! Our world can so easily be about the “quick-fix”. But Jesus reminds us that our faith isn’t a quick fix. When have you felt that impatience and exasperation in yourself? Perhaps you feel it now? What Jesus says about the promise of rewards also tells us where God’s priorities are. Who are those who are “the last” in your world? – in your life? St Teresa of Calcutta used to talk about seeing Christ in the faces of the poor, the sick, the hungry, the downtrodden. As you listen to the reading again, imagine the faces of those who are “last”. Jesus realised how Peter felt, he understood him, and he didn’t slap him down. And it is the same for each of us when we speak to Jesus – we can tell him how we feel without fear of it being the wrong thing to say. So, speak to the Lord now. Tell him openly and honestly whatever it is you are feeling. 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.