Sunday 12 July 2026 - Giving seed to the sower

Sunday 12 July 2026 - Giving seed to the sower

Sunday 12 July 2026 Today is Sunday the 12th of July, Sea Sunday, beginning the 15th week of Ordinary Time. The Nuns of St Cecilia’s Abbey sing Oculi omnium in te sperant: ‘The eyes of all turn to you in hope, O Lord: and you give them food in due season. You open your hand and fill every creature with blessing.’ As you listen, turn your attention, your eyes, your heart, to God. Amid any noise and activity around you, hold yourself in stillness for a moment, ready to accept what God has to give you. Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 55:10-11 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Today’s reading gives us an image of abundance, and of the provision of God. Take a moment to recall the gifts you receive from God each day – the food you eat, the water you drink, the very breath you breathe... We get an image in this passage of a connectedness: from the rain and snow to the earth, the seed, the sower, the bread, the eater... Today we celebrate “Sea Sunday”, a chance to give thanks for our seafarers and fishers, another example of how we are connected without seeing the full process. How often do you pause to consider the chain of events that brings the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the safety we experience? Can you see God moving in each step? As you hear the reading again, notice that this image of connection in producing food also displays the journey of the word and purpose of God. Isaiah 55:10-11 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 'But it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.' Speak to God about what God’s success looks like... you might like to ask for help in recognising the things that God is purposing. 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 11 July 2026 - A photograph album

Saturday 11 July 2026 Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Spend a moment becoming still. Today, we will revisit a slightly different style of Examen reflection we have used before:  Imagine yourself in a place where you feel at peace.  It might be your own room at home.  There are two chairs there and you sit on one of these. There is a knock on the door, and you open it.  It is Jesus.  You invite him to sit down.  What is it like to have him there?  He has brought a book with him, and you realise that it is a photograph album of the week...  He has taken pictures of you throughout the week. You and Jesus look through the photos talking about them.  If one in particular catches your eye, for which you are grateful, spend some time with it and talk to Jesus about it . . . Is there a particular picture Jesus wants you to look at?  What do you feel about his choice?  What do you say to him about it? Is there a picture there which you wish wasn’t there?  Talk to him about that too. When you are ready the album is closed.  What do you ask of Jesus before he departs, to help you for the week ahead?  How do you take leave of each other?  How do you feel 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

Friday 10 July 2026 - Sheep into the midst of wolves

Friday 10 July 2026 Today is Friday the 10th of July, in the 14th week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach with The Porter’s Gate sings a setting of Psalm 46, from Companion Songs. Can you join in with this Psalm? Where can you find some comfort in it? We will not fear, though the earth gives way There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy place where the Most High dwells. We will not fear, though the earth gives way God is within her, she will not fall God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall He lifts his voice, the earth melts. Come and see what the Lord has done The desolations he has brought on the earth He makes wars cease To the ends of the earth. We will not fear, though the earth gives way He breaks the bow and shatters the spear He burns the shields with fire. We will not fear, though the earth gives way He says, ‘Be still, be still, be still and know that I am God’ We will not fear, though the earth gives way Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 10:16-23 ‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.’ Imagine for a moment you are being sent out here by Jesus... How does it sound to hear that you will be like a sheep among wolves? Jesus speaks to his disciples of then but also now, who will be facing persecution. Have you faced persecution, or perhaps you know someone who has? Take a moment to pray for all those facing suffering because of their faith... Spend a few moments now just talking to God about the thoughts and feelings that have awoken in you as you listen to the Gospel again. Matthew 10:16-23 ‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.’ Talk to God now... you might find yourself talking about your own need for the courage and wisdom to respond to the call of discipleship and the cost of following God. Or you may want to simply share with God what is in your heart. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Thursday 9 July 2026 - Tenderness and love

Thursday 9 July 2026 Today is Thursday the 9th of July, the feast of Saint Leo Ignatius Mangin, Saint Mary Zhu Wu and Companions, in the 14th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing Psalm 115: “I love the Lord, he hears my cry, he bends down to listen to me when I call” – words which paint a beautiful picture of God bending down to me like a mother or father bending down to their child, full of tenderness and love. As you listen, reflect for a moment on that ‘tender, loving care’ – that love that God has for you… can you also offer this love back to God? Today’s reading is from the Prophet Hosea. Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them. How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. Imagine you are looking at a mother or a father with a very young child. Perhaps you can see a parent and child in front of you right now. If not, try and imagine it for a moment. That is how Hosea paints the picture of the relationship between God and his people, here called “Israel” or “Ephraim”. God notices, even complains about their unfaithfulness, but that complaint is held in balance by his memories of loving Ephraim as a child. Some people carry a photograph around with them to remind them of someone they love, someone who loves them. Perhaps you do. Which person who loves you, or whom you love, does all this bring to mind? Listen to the reading again; note how in the passage, God both lifts us up to his level and also comes down to our level. Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them. How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. Can I ask God now to help me grasp, with my mind and with my heart, just how much he loves me? 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 8 July 2026 - Jesus has called you by name

Wednesday 8 July 2026 Today is Wednesday the 8th of July, in the 14th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing Ego vos elegi: ‘I have chosen you out of the world, so that you might go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last.’ As you listen to this chant, be reminded that God calls you, calls you by your name. However unsuitable or unworthy you might think you are, God has chosen you. Ego vos elegi de mundo, ut eatis, et fructum afferatis: et fructus vester maneat, alleluja. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 10:1-7 Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector; Jamesson of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” As you reflect on this passage from Matthew, is there a word or a phrase that has stood out or has stayed with you? Imagine that! Hearing Jesus who loves you call you by your name. How does it make you feel? As we hear the passage again, know that Jesus has called you by name. Listen to what he invites you to... Matthew 10:1-7 Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector; Jamesson of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Jesus called these twelve followers and then sent them out on a special mission. What is Jesus calling you to do in his name? Maybe there is something you want to say to Jesus now about this... Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen