Thursday 2 July 2026 - Your sins are forgiven

Thursday 23 July 2026 - Abide in me

Thursday 23 July 2026 Today is Thursday the 23rd of July, the feast of Saint Bridget of Sweden, in the 16th week of Ordinary Time. The Singers of Christ Church, Oxford sing, ‘Abide with Me’. Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide; When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness; Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies; Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John. John 15:1-8 ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.' Jesus uses the image of the vine to describe himself, his relationship with God the Creator, and his living, sustaining connection with us, his disciples. Jesus invites us to ‘abide in me as I abide in you’. Stay with these words. What does it mean for you to abide in Jesus? Jesus also reminds us that every branch needs to be pruned to be fruitful. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what in your life may need to be cut back or let go, so that you may grow closer to God. You might like to ask for the grace to let go of something that is keeping you from bearing fruit for God. Jesus speaks, too, of the fruit that will come by remaining in him. Where do you see signs of fruit in your life? Take a moment to give thanks for these positive signs of new life. Now, as the scripture is read again, imagine yourself as a branch, held in Jesus, the vine. Draw life, strength and nourishment from this image. John 15:1-8 ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.' In these final moments of peace and stillness, recognise yourself resting in Jesus the vine. With confidence and humility, ask for your heart’s desire. 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 22 July 2026 - I have seen the Lord

Wednesday 22 July 2026 Today is Wednesday the 22nd of July, the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, in the 16th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing Laetetur cor quaerentium: ‘Let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice; seek the Lord and be strengthened, seek his face always.’ Entering into prayer today, I too am seeking the Lord, seeking his face, looking for the signs of his presence in my life, gently guiding me in truth and peace and love. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John. John 20:1-2, 11-18 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her. In the darkness of early morning, Mary Magdalene visits the tomb of Jesus. What she encounters there causes her anxiety and confusion. Her world feels broken. It seems that Jesus has been taken from her. What are the moments in life today that leave you feeling lost or distant from Jesus? What small thing might you do to reach out to someone who needs hope, reassurance or faith? Only when Jesus speaks her name does Mary recognise him. Imagine Jesus speaking your name. How does he say it? Is his voice loud or soft, challenging or tender – or something else? As you hear the passage again, stand with Mary and experience meeting the risen Christ with her. John 20:1-2, 11-18 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her. As this time of prayer comes to a close, give thanks for Mary Magdalene and ask God to fill you with courage and faith to say boldly: ‘I have seen the Lord.’ 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 21 July 2026 - Shepherd your people

Tuesday 21 July 2026 Today is Tuesday the 21st of July, in the 16th week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach with the Porter’s Gate sings, ‘God is Nothing but Love’. Are these words you could say about God? God is nothing but love God is nothing but love Dare to give all for love Give yourself without fear God is nothing but love Today’s reading is from the Prophet Micah. Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that belongs to you, which lives alone in a forest in the midst of a garden land; let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old. As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, show us marvellous things. Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger for ever, because he delights in showing clemency. He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and unswerving loyalty to Abraham, as you have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old. The prophet Micah recalls the way God rescues, leads, guides and cares for God’s people. Here is a God of compassion and mercy, who walks faithfully with us through life’s joys and sorrows. How do you experience God guiding and caring for you and your community? What ‘marvellous things’ have you seen the Lord do? Recall moments when God has surprised you with unexpected grace, provision or love. Micah recalls that God delights in exercising forgiveness and mercy. God casts our sins into the depths of the sea. From what do you need to be released? Humbly offer this to God. Imagine God carrying this burden for you and taking it far away. Accept the release, forgiveness and love God offers you. As you hear the words of scripture read again, ponder what it means to live as one who is forgiven. Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that belongs to you, which lives alone in a forest in the midst of a garden land; let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old. As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, show us marvellous things. Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger for ever, because he delights in showing clemency. He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and unswerving loyalty to Abraham, as you have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old. As this prayer time comes to a close, rest securely in the truth of God’s faithfulness and love for you. Know that God will never let you go. 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 20 July 2026 - Walk humbly

Monday 20 July 2026 Today is Monday the 20th of July, in the 16th week of Ordinary Time. The Convivium Singers sing Margaret Rizza’s setting of the Benedictus: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel! He has visited his people and redeemed them. He has raised up for us a mighty saviour in the house of David his servant, as he promised by the lips of holy men, those who were his prophets from of old." Today’s reading is from the Prophet Micah. Micah 6:1-4, 6-8 Hear what the Lord says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel. ‘O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. ‘With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’ He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? In today’s passage, the prophet Micah brings the voice of God to God’s people. They are reminded of how God rescued them from slavery in Egypt, leading them to freedom and settling them in a new place. Recall your walk with God. How has God rescued you? How does God sustain, guide and lead you today? Give thanks for these times. Micah tells the people that God longs for them to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God. Where are you being called to act more justly? Where does your heart need to soften for kindness and compassion to grow? What would it mean for you to walk more humbly with God this day? As you listen to the passage again, focus on this question: What does the Lord require of you? Micah 6:1-4, 6-8 Hear what the Lord says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel. ‘O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. ‘With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’ He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? As this time of prayer comes to a close, rest in God’s presence. Ask for grace to live justly, kindly and humbly 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

Sunday 19 July 2026 - Sighs too deep for words

Sunday 19 July 2026 Today is Sunday the 19th of July, beginning the 16th week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing 'Mon âme se repose en paix sur Dieu seul': Only in God does my soul find rest. Recognising that you are in the presence now of that same God, the only one in whom we can truly find rest, place yourself in God’s loving hands. Today’s reading is from Saint Paul's Letter to the Romans. Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. As we listen to this passage, notice the invitation to the Sabbath. We don’t have to come before God with perfect words, clear thoughts, or settled hearts. The Spirit is already with us, in all our weakness. What does this assurance mean to you? As you reflect, become aware of whatever you are carrying into this day - fatigue, gratitude, hope, distraction. There is no need to check these feelings. Bring them honestly before God. St Paul reminds us that even when we cannot say what is happening within us, the Spirit is praying in us and for us. We may call on the intercession of the saints for our needs, but, with the Spirit nothing – named or unnamed – is hidden. The Spirit gathers all our desires from our heart. As you listen to the passage again, be reassured. Rest is not merely stopping work - it is letting go of the need to hold on to everything. You don’t have to seek out a spiritual experience. Simply be, and be aware - the Spirit is already at work. Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. “We do not know how to pray as we ought.” Take time to place yourself beside the Lord attentive and unhurried. Trust in the Spirit to carry those unspoken desires like a gentle breath on this Sabbath day. 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