Monday 6 July 2026 - Take heart

Saturday 18 July 2026 - Walk more closely with the Lord

Saturday 18 July 2026 Welcome to the Saturday Examen. For today’s examen, begin by placing yourself in God’s presence. We have been reminded this week of God’s desire to be close to us. Take this opportunity to step closer to the Lord. Prepare yourself for prayer by focusing on your breath. Notice how the rhythm of your breathing brings stillness and an awareness of God’s presence. We might begin by asking for the wisdom and openness that also weave throughout the scripture for this week. Cast your mind back over the week… where have you experienced this need for the Lord, a call to witness, or a generosity of spirit? Many of the readings this week have spoken about vulnerability and humility. Have your actions this week reflected your faith? Have there been times you have resisted God's invitation to change? Is there a particular moment God is drawing you to remember? Notice what rises to the surface naturally… allow the moment to reveal itself. Do you notice any challenges, lack of understanding, or frustration? Allow these moments to be seen and held. Where, in the prayer journey of the week have you noticed God invitation? How might you seek justice, practice humility, and walk more closely with the Lord? Again, notice what arises naturally. Look forward to the days to come with a prayer of thanksgiving, asking for God’s grace and guidance to carry the insights you have received into each 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

Friday 17 July 2026 - Sustained by God’s presence

Friday 17 July 2026 Today is Friday the 17th of July, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing 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. A saviour who would free us from our foes, from the hands of all who hate us. So his love for our ancestors is fulfilled and his holy covenant remembered. He swore to Abraham our father to grant us, that free from fear, and saved from the hands of our foes, we might serve him in holiness and justice all the days of our life in his presence.” Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 38:10-12, 16 I said: In the noontide of my days I must depart; I am consigned to the gates of Sheol for the rest of my years. I said, I shall not see the Lord in the land of the living; I shall look upon mortals no more among the inhabitants of the world. My dwelling is plucked up and removed from me like a shepherd’s tent; like a weaver I have rolled up my life; he cuts me off from the loom; from day to night you bring me to an end; O Lord, by these things people live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. O restore me to health and make me live! The reading for today comes from the prayer of King Hezekiah. He feels that his life is being cut short, that his anticipated future is slipping away. The imagery is stark and evocative - a shepherd's tent being pulled up, a weaver cutting cloth from the loom. Everything seems fragile and temporary. Notice the king’s emotions, fears and grief – his helplessness. Perhaps there are losses, changes, or uncertainties in your own life that come to mind? Something unfinished? “O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit.” Hezekiah realises that life is not in his control – not through his kingship, authority or strength. Life belongs to God. The fragile nature of life is where he encounters God's saving presence. Times such as these, that reveal our vulnerability, are often the ones that bring us closer to the Lord. As you listen to the passage again, reflect on times you have felt the need to be in control, or when you have been sustained by God’s presence. Isaiah 38:10-12, 16 I said: In the noontide of my days I must depart; I am consigned to the gates of Sheol for the rest of my years. I said, I shall not see the Lord in the land of the living; I shall look upon mortals no more among the inhabitants of the world. My dwelling is plucked up and removed from me like a shepherd’s tent; like a weaver I have rolled up my life; he cuts me off from the loom; from day to night you bring me to an end; O Lord, by these things people live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. O restore me to health and make me live! “O restore me to health and make me live!” In a time of prayer, rest in the Lord’s presence and be reminded that all your days are held in God’s hands. 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 16 July 2026 - Come to me, all you that are weary

Thursday 16 July 2026 Today is Thursday the 16th of July, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time. The choir of Westminster Cathedral, directed by David Hill, sing Victoria’s Taedet animam meam: ‘My soul is weary of my life.’ Perhaps you feel a bit weary yourself today, even now as you’re trying to pray – not in the mood – too busy, too preoccupied, too tired. But if that is how you find yourself right now, just acknowledge that feeling, and present yourself, nonetheless, to God, just as you are. And God will listen to you, and accept you, just as you are. Tædet animam meam vitæ meæ; dimittam adversum me eloquium meum, loquar in amaritudine animæ meæ. Dicam Deo: Noli me condemnare: indica mihi cur me ita judices. Numquid bonum tibi videtur, si calumnieris me et oprimas me, opus manuum tuarum, et consilium impiorum adjuves? Numquid oculi carnei tibi sunt: aut sicut videt homo, et tu videbis? Numquid sicut dies hominis dies tui, et anni tui sicut humana sunt tempora, ut quæras iniquitatem meam, et peccatum meum scruteris? Et scias quia nihil impium fecerim, cum sit nemo qui de manu tua possit eruere? My soul is weary of my life; I will unleash my speech against myself, I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say unto God: Do not condemn me; reveal to me why thou judgest me thus. Does it seem good to thee that thou accuse me and oppress me, the work of thy hands, and aid the counsel of the wicked? Hast thou eyes of flesh, or seest thou as man seeth? Are thy days as the days of man, and thy years as the times of men? That thou wouldst seek after my wickedness, and search after my sin? And wouldst know that I have done nothing wicked, there being none who can deliver from thy hand? Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ Sometimes, when we listen to the gospel, we may feel overwhelmed by what God is asking of us. Today, however, we are reminded of another side of God - compassion and a deep understanding of what it means to be human. We hear Jesus calling, “Come to me.” What does it mean to hear him speak these words to you now? What is your response? “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart.” In a world that often prizes confidence and strength, we are offered not only consolation but a different way of being. We might take a moment to place ourselves in this moment with Jesus. Notice his presence. Hear the gentleness in his voice as he invites you to come closer. How might you practise gentleness and humility in your own encounters? As you listen to the passage again, reflect on the burdens you have placed on yourself, and ask for the courage to release what is not yours to carry. Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ “You will find rest for your souls.” It is okay to acknowledge the weariness that can come with life. In these final moments of prayer, trust in his invitation, accept the gift of resting more deeply in God's 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

Wednesday 15 July 2026 - Lord of heaven and earth

Wednesday 15 July 2026 Today is Wednesday the 15th of July, the feast of Saint Bonaventure, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time. CalledOut Music sings, ‘Ese’, a song meaning ‘thank you’. Can you sing this to God too today? What shall I render? Tell me what I can offer (to You) How can I say that I'm grateful I have a Father who will Never ever fail me, no He never sleep or slumber He'll never fall my hand You have been closer than a friend And this, Your love will never end So I've come to say Ese, Ese Oluwa oh Ese, Ese Baba Ese, Ese Oluwa oh Ese, Ese Baba I'll give You my heart and affection Give You my love and devotion I'll never cease to worship You, my God So I've come to give my offering Many blessings fall on me Every step of the way I have felt Your presence You have been closer than a friend And this Your love will never end So I've come to say Ese, Ese Oluwa oh Ese, Ese Baba Ese, Ese Oluwa oh Ese, Ese Baba Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 11:25-27 At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Today is the feast day of St Bonaventure, a contemporary and friend of St Thomas Aquinas. As a Franciscan, modelling St Francis, Jesus was at the centre of everything - his teaching, his writing, and his life. On this feast day, we may pray for the gift of wisdom and the ability to integrate faith and reason in our lives. In today’s passage, we are witnesses to Jesus’ prayer to the Father, rejoicing in the Father’s plan for the world. We often reflect on the suffering of Jesus - what does it mean to witness this prayer of gratitude and trust? We might place ourselves within the intimacy of the relationship that Jesus had with his heavenly Father. Imagine Jesus’ face. Hear the warmth in his voice as he speaks. Jesus speaks of his followers as “little children,” seeing that they are blessed by their openness to learn from him, a virtue lacking in others who perhaps saw themselves as intellectuals who already knew. What might you need to let go of so as to become more childlike in your relationship with God? As you listen to the passage again, consider how you might ask for the grace to become one of those “little ones”. Matthew 11:25-27 At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…” In these final moments of prayer, rest in the love of God the Father, opening your heart as a beloved child. 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 14 July 2026 - Deeds of power

Tuesday 14 July 2026 Today is Tuesday the 14th of July, in the 15th 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 God’s hand. (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 11:20-24 Then [Jesus] began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.’ In today’s reading, Jesus speaks to the towns that witnessed grace, healing, mercy - and still did not change. “If the mighty works done in you had been done elsewhere, they would have repented…” Remain here for a moment. What is your response? What stirs in you as you hear these words? Is there a sense of not anger but grief – a longing for what should be? Resistance against what has been uncovered? Gratitude for a life lived differently? A desire to begin again? These towns were perhaps well known to the listeners. Consider what is your witness to the town that you live in today? When we listen to this passage again, hear Jesus speaking to you today. Does your life reflect the graces received through faith? Matthew 11:20-24 Then [Jesus] began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.’ In this time of prayer, picture Jesus sitting beside you. Speak with the Lord about all that is on 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