Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Wednesday 2 July 2025Today is Wednesday the 2nd of July, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time. The Choir of the King’s Consort sing Henry Purcell’s Hear My Prayer, O Lord: “Hear My Prayer, O Lord, and let my crying come unto thee.” As I listen, I too bring my prayer, my needs and my longings, the deepest feelings of my heart, before the Lord. Today’s reading is from the Book of Genesis. Genesis 21:5, 8-20 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. So she said to Abraham, ‘Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac.’ The matter was very distressing to Abraham on account of his son. But God said to Abraham, ‘Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named after you. As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring.’ So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, ‘Do not let me look on the death of the child.’ And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, ‘What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him.’ Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink. God was with the boy, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness, and became an expert with the bow. There is a lot in this story: Bitterness, jealousy, rejection, exploitation, grief... but also being seen and heard by God... Which part of it touches you most?   Take a moment to study the facial expressions: Sarah... Abraham... Hagar... The children... Ishmael... Isaac... How would you place them all in a painting? Home in on details: Abraham placing the skin of water and the bread on Hagar’s shoulder, along with the little boy, and sending them away.  Allow space to be stirred by this moment... God is in the scene too.  Where is God as you listen to the passage again?   Genesis 21:5, 8-20 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. So she said to Abraham, ‘Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac.’ The matter was very distressing to Abraham on account of his son. But God said to Abraham, ‘Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named after you. As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring.’ So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, ‘Do not let me look on the death of the child.’ And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, ‘What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him.’ Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink. God was with the boy, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness, and became an expert with the bow. The story may have a good outcome, but the anguish felt along the way is visceral.    Speak with God about whatever the scene has highlighted for you.  Let God hear your voice too.  Perhaps your voice might be representing the plight of someone else... 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 1 July 2025Today is Tuesday the 1st of July, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time. Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Peace I Leave With You’. Peace, my peace Peace I leave with you My peace I give Not as the world gives Not as the world gives, I give to you My peace Do not let your hearts be troubled And do not be afraid Do not let your hearts be troubled No, do not be afraid Peace Peace Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 8:23-27 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A gale arose on the lake, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’ Listen to the sounds, in today’s passage - ‘swamped by waves’; ‘a great gale arose’; ‘we are perishing!’ Hear the scene in your imagination, the shouting, the roaring of the wind, the crashing and spitting of the waves. Jesus sleeps through it.   He seems surprised - or at least he expresses surprise - at the fear and lack of faith of the disciples.  Hear his tone.  Hear the sound of the ‘dead calm’. Listen. What does this scene tell you about Jesus? Try and look for a new perspective.  Listen to the passage again.  This time, visualise it. Matthew 8:23-27 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A gale arose on the lake, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’ Some challenges may give us a sense of being flattened by waves. ‘Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm.’  Sit in that ‘dead calm’ for a moment.  Allow it to filter, to seep through to your very core. Let whatever has surfaced for you be known to Jesus.  Notice His reaction.  Sit with Him in the dead calm. 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 30 June 2025Today is Monday the 30th of June, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time. Jon Guerra sings, ‘Take Up Your Cross’. If anyone would come after me Let him deny himself Take up his cross Follow me If anyone would come after me Let him deny himself Take up his cross Follow me Whoever would save his life Will lose it Whoever loses his life for me Will find it If anyone claims to worship God Let him give all away Take up his cross Follow me Whoever would save his life Will lose it Whoever loses his life for me Will find it What would it profit a man If he gains the whole world And forfeits his soul What would it profit a man at all What would it profit a man If he dies with a barn full of silver and gold What would it profit a man at all If anyone would come after me Let him deny himself Take up his cross Follow me Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 8:18-22 Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. A scribe then approached and said, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ Another of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’ How inviting might the life of a follower of Jesus have been, do you think?  In today’s passage, we hear two very human responses to the demands of being a disciple of Jesus.  One impulsive.  Another cautious.  Notice the responses Jesus makes... to one a warning, a reality check; to the other a blunt retort.  Notice your reaction. How would you describe your own life as a disciple?  Compelling?  Very ordinary?  Exciting? Costly? Listen to the passage again and imagine a conversation you might have with each speaker: the scribe who promises to follow Jesus wherever he’ll go; the disciple with family commitments on his mind. Matthew 8:18-22 Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. A scribe then approached and said, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ Another of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’ In these closing moments bring your attention to speaking with Jesus about your own response to following Him.  You can bring your true, vulnerable self to the conversation.  You can ask for courage. 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 29 June 2025Today is Sunday the 29th of June, the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, beginning the 13th week of Ordinary Time. The Choir of Westminster Cathedral sing Tu Es Petrus by Palestrina: ‘You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ Tu es Petrus et super hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam et portae inferi non praevalebunt adversus eam. Et tibi dabo claves regni caelorum. Quodcumque ligaveris super terram, erit ligatum et in caelis, et quodcumque solveris super terram, erit solutum et in caelis. Et tibi dabo claves regni caelorum. You are Peter, And upon this Rock I will build My Church: and the gates of hell shall not overcome it. And I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind upon earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you release upon earth shall be released in heaven, and I will give you the keys to the kingdom of Heaven. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 16:13-19 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ For our Sunday reflection, we celebrate the witness of Peter and Paul, Peter the fisherman, impulsive and human; Paul the intellectual, converted by encounter. Both were flawed, both were loved, both were called. In this passage, we join with the disciples as they are deep in conversation with Jesus. Place yourself with them, on the dusty road near Caesarea Philippi. The sun is hot, the air still. Jesus and the disciples have paused during their journey. You stand nearby, attentive to the conversation. Jesus turns to His disciples and asks, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Imagine the murmur of voices as the disciples offer tentative answers: “John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” Now Jesus looks directly at you. His gaze is steady but gentle. He asks, “But who do you say that I am?” Let the question settle. How do you respond? Not the answer you’ve been taught, but the one from your heart. Who is Jesus to you — in this moment, in your life? Instead, Peter speaks: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Imagine Jesus turning toward Peter, seeing his heart, his courage, his future failings, and yet — “You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church.” Jesus names Peter “the rock” not because of perfection but because of his faith and heart. As we listen to the passage again, reflect on how Jesus sees the whole of who you are — your strengths, your flaws — and still calls you to something more, to be a builder of His love in the world. Matthew 16:13-19 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ “But who do you say that I am?” Speak to Jesus openly, as Peter or Paul might have — about your fears, your dreams, your sense of mission. Listen for what He might be saying in return. In this time of prayer, let Jesus name you, as he named Peter. Let the Lord remind you: “I know you, and I still choose 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

Saturday 28 June 2025Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Today is the feast of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We will pray with this in our Examen today. Begin by placing yourself in God’s presence. Thank the Lord for the gift of this day, for the moments of love, beauty, and grace. Thank You for the witness of Mary’s Immaculate Heart — a heart full of purity, trust, humility, and love. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see the week that has passed. Reflect with honesty and humility, under the gentle gaze of Mary, whose heart pondered all things in love. Reflect on where you acted with the purity and generosity of Mary’s heart. Showing compassion, patience, or forgiveness, being open to God’s will? Were there times when you neglected to love or serve when given the chance? Acknowledge your failures with trust in God’s mercy. Ask for grace for tomorrow, for your heart to be more like Mary’s — tender, courageous, open to God’s word. Ask for the grace to face tomorrow with trust and to love the Lord and others more deeply. 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 27 June 2025Today is Friday the 27th of June, the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the 12th week of Ordinary Time. Jon and Valerie Guerra sing, ‘The Lord Is My Shepherd’. As you listen, why not place yourself as a sheep in your imagination? How does it feel to be under the Lord’s care? The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want He makes me to lie down in green pastures He leadeth me beside still waters He restores my soul, oh, my soul The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want And I can't count the times He's carried me I can't count the hatchets He's buried And how this mute heart sings when You're near to me Hе leads me in the path of rightеousness He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name's sake Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil You are, You are with me, You are always with me You are, You are with me, You are always with me Your rod and Your staff are my comfort You are, You are with me, You are always with me The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want Today’s reading is from the Prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel 34:11-16 For thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice. Today, we honour the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. St. John Paul II, a great devotee of the Sacred Heart, said, “This feast reminds us of the mystery of the love of God for the people of all times.” And here, we are invited into the depths of God’s tender love — a love that seeks, heals, and restores. Ezekiel’s prophecy beautifully foreshadows the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who does not abandon His flock but pursues each of us with personal care. Jesus will speak often of the good shepherd who cares for his sheep, reminding his listeners of Ezekiel’s promise. Imagine Jesus, walking through the rugged hills, calling out your name. Where are you in the flock today? Are you close by His side? Are you among the injured needing care, the strayed needing to be found, or the weary needing rest? Jesus is not an observer in our lives. He searches for the lost parts of us, tends to our wounds, and rejoices when we return. The Sacred Heart, a heart for all to see, reminds us that His love is not abstract — it is passionate, active, and intimate. Consider - Where have you experienced the love of Jesus watching over you recently? Where might you feel lost, wounded, or weary today? As you hear the passage again, consider how might you reflect Jesus’ shepherding heart to someone else today? Ezekiel 34:11-16 For thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice. “I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed,” In a time of prayer, how might you follow in the shepherd’s footsteps more closely? 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 26 June 2025Today is Thursday the 26th of June, in the 12th 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 Book of Genesis. Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bore him no children. She had an Egyptian slave-girl whose name was Hagar, and Sarai said to Abram, ‘You see that the Lord has prevented me from bearing children; go in to my slave-girl; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.’ And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. So, after Abram had lived for ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her slave-girl, and gave her to her husband Abram as a wife. He went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, ‘May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my slave-girl to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the Lord judge between you and me!’ But Abram said to Sarai, ‘Your slave-girl is in your power; do to her as you please.’ Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she ran away from her. The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. And he said, ‘Hagar, slave-girl of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?’ She said, ‘I am running away from my mistress Sarai.’ The angel of the Lord said to her, ‘Return to your mistress, and submit to her.’ The angel of the Lord also said to her, ‘I will so greatly multiply your offspring that they cannot be counted for multitude.’ And the angel of the Lord said to her, ‘Now you have conceived and shall bear a son; you shall call him Ishmael, for the Lord has given heed to your affliction. He shall be a wild ass of a man, with his hand against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; and he shall live at odds with all his kin.’ Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram named his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael. To begin, we hear of Sarai’s plan to have the child she believes she is owed. Hagar is Sarai’s slave, her property. Taking the matter into her own hands, she disregards the imbalance of power and the consequences born out of exploitation and fear. As we begin, what is your response to the characters in this story? Hagar — pregnant and fearful, finds herself alone in the wilderness. Yet God seeks her out. We are invited to notice that God will find us — not only when we are faithful and feel ‘chosen’, but especially when we are lost, afraid, or on the run. The angel asks Hagar a question, “Where have you come from, and where are you going?” Pause and reflect: Where have you come from in your life or faith journey? Where are you going —towards or away from God? Have you experienced God’s watchfulness in the difficult journeys through life? Notice that God does not ignore Hagar’s suffering. God sees her completely and acknowledges her hurt. In your own life, where might God be offering compassion today? Hagar is reassured that there is meaning in her life, in the new life that is to come. Where might God be inviting you to return, trust, or start anew? Hagar returns to the promise given to her by God and to her son Ishmael which means ‘God hears’. Spend a moment today resting in the truth that you are fully seen, heard and known by God — even in the wilderness. Rest in the peace of knowing that you are never abandoned. 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 25 June 2025Today is Wednesday the 25th of June, in the 12th week of Ordinary Time. Ex Cathedra, directed by Jeffrey Skidmore, sing Hanaq Pachap Kusikuynin, a hymn in the Quechua language of South America, a beautiful prayer which I might make my own as I listen now: “Bliss of heaven: a thousand times I adore you. Tree of uncountable fruits. Hope of the peoples. Pillar of the weak. Listen to my prayer.” Hanacpachap cussicuinin, Huaran cacta muchas caiqui. Yupairuru pucocmallqui, Runa cunap suyacuinin. Callpannacpa quemicuinin, Huaciascaita. Uyarihuai muchascaita Diospa rampan Diospamaman Yurac tocto hamancaiman Yupascalla, collpascaita Huahuaiquiman suyuscaita Ricuchillai. Heaven's joy! a thousand times shall we praise you. O tree bearing thrice-blessed fruit, O hope of humankind, helper of the weak. hear our prayer! Attend to our pleas, O column of ivory, Mother of God! Beautiful iris, yellow and white, receive this song we offer you; come to our assistance, show us the Fruit of your womb. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. For today’s reading, let’s take an imaginative moment to join the disciples. As you sit quietly, attentively, among the disciples, listen to Jesus speak these words. Jesus paints a picture that illustrates his deep concern for his followers. These are words to remember. Let his words echo in your heart. Matthew 7:15-20 ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.’ Take a moment to reflect: who or what are you allowing to influence you today? Where do you find the help to respond to the influences around you? What influences and graces do you offer others? Even in today’s urban world, the image of the healthy and diseased trees may be easy to call to mind. How do you see these ‘trees’ growing in your own life? As you hear the passage again, be attentive to the fruits of your life. Matthew 7:15-20 ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.’ “Thus, you will recognise them by their fruits.” Take a moment with the Lord who always cares for you; asking for the wisdom and courage you need 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

Tuesday 24 June 2025Today is Tuesday the 24th of June, the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, in the 12th 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.’ As you enter into prayer now, can you sense that invitation from God? Can you hear those words spoken to you? And accept the welcome, and that reassurance that God wants to give you? (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 1:57-66 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘None of your relatives has this name.’ Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbours, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’ For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him. In today’s Gospel, we witness the joyful scene of John the Baptist’s birth. Elizabeth’s friends rejoice with her and as Zechariah names the child “John”, and regains his voice, people are astonished. Though a miraculous moment of scripture, perhaps you have also witnessed God’s hand in the beginnings of life? Where have you noticed the “seed moments”— in a child’s birth, a new project, a growing relationship — and felt that God was present? Do you sense that God is preparing something new, even if you don’t fully understand it yet? As you listen to the passage again, notice that for Zechariah, the truth, and trust, has set him free. Luke 1:57-66 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘None of your relatives has this name.’ Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbours, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’ For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him. “What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.” Share with the Lord, who was also a child of wonder, whatever feelings this passage has raised 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

Monday 23 June 2025Today is Monday the 23rd of June, in the 12th week of Ordinary Time. Davy, with the Porter’s Gate, sings Psalm 5. Listen, God! Please, pay attention!
 Can you make sense of all my groans and cries?
 Listen, God! I need your help. 
Every morning you’ll hear me at it again.
 Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar, And watch for fire to descend. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 7:1-5 ‘Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgement you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, “Let me take the speck out of your eye”, while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye. In today’s passage, we may begin by reflecting on how we hear Jesus’ voice as he speaks to the crowd, as he speaks to you. How do you feel as you hear these words? Perhaps you sense both challenge and compassion in his voice? Take a moment to consider how this attitude might affect your relationships, your peace? What “logs” might Jesus be lovingly drawing your attention to? How may you bring these to him for healing? As you listen to the passage again, ask for the grace to be gentle with others and the humility to know your own heart. Matthew 7:1-5 ‘Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgement you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, “Let me take the speck out of your eye”, while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye. “Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?” Take a moment in this time of prayer to speak honestly with Jesus, opening your heart to him, trusting in his 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