Saturday 20 June 2026 - God's loving presence

Saturday 20 June 2026 - God's loving presence

Saturday 20 June 2026 Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Today’s feast day asks us to be mindful of St Alban, who came to know God through relationship, hospitality, and courage. His faith grew through encounter, and he chose to remain faithful no matter the cost. We are reminded that our relationship with God grows through the everyday moments of our lives. In the Gospel this week, Jesus calls people personally and lovingly, inviting them into deeper relationship and trust. Take a few moments now to place yourself in God’s presence. Prepare yourself for prayer by focussing on your breath…take a few deep breaths in…and then a few releasing breaths out. As you look back over the past week, invite God to walk with you through your memories. Where have you noticed moments of connection with God - in prayer, in acts of kindness, in conversations, or in quiet reflection? Where have you experienced God through others, through community, or by being attentive to those in need, as St Alban once was? Is there a particular moment that God is drawing your attention to - a time of grace, courage, or invitation? Now notice any moments of difficulty. Where did you experience tension, confusion, fear, or distance - from God, from others, or within yourself? Bring these moments honestly to God, trusting in God’s patience and mercy. Where have you felt drawn closer to God, or been challenged to deepen your relationship? Is there something God may be asking of you? What strength, courage, or guidance do you need, inspired by the example of St Alban? Rest for a moment in God’s loving presence, and end with thanks for the gift of faith — a relationship that continues to grow in both the ordinary and the challenging moments of life. 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 19 June 2026 - Treasures in heaven

Friday 19 June 2026 Today is Friday the 19th of June, in the 11th week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing Tu sei sorgente viva. “You are the living spring. You are fire, you are love. Come, Holy Spirit.” Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 6:19-23 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ‘The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!’ In today’s reading, Jesus speaks these words: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Take a moment to turn inward and to notice how your heart is today. What is occupying your heart most at this moment? Jesus challenges us to consider the value of much that we might consider desirable in everyday life. His simple observation reminds us of how easily worldly wealth can become worthless. Take a moment to consider: what do you truly treasure? What do you value most – hold onto, protect, or depend on for meaning and security? Hold these treasures honestly before the Lord. Jesus goes on to say that the eye is the lamp of the body. Where our attention is, what we take in, doesn’t just inform our physical or intellectual awareness – it shapes our inner life – our sense of who we are. It can lead us toward light — or draw us into shadows. Consider how the things you focus on help you to see more clearly, love more freely, trust more deeply? Or do they? As you listen to the reading once more, allow these questions to remain with you. Matthew 6:19-23 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ‘The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!’ “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” In this time of prayer, turn to Jesus and rest in the light of the Lord’s presence. 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 18 June 2026 - Give us this day our daily bread

Thursday 18 June 2026 Today is Thursday the 18th of June, in the 11th week of Ordinary Time. The Kyiv Chamber Choir sings The Lord’s Prayer. As you listen, begin this time today by praying the Lord’s Prayer in whatever language is most natural to you. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 6:7-15 ‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ‘Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.' In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus teaches his friends to pray. We have taken from this the prayer we now know as the Lord’s Prayer. It has become the prayer that many turn to when we don’t know how else to pray. Reflect on the place of the Lord’s Prayer in your life... “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do.’ Jesus’ prayer does not contain empty phrases, nevertheless, there are times when prayer becomes hurried or driven by a need to say something rather than trust that God knows our heart. When you pray, what do you hope prayer will do? As you listen to the passage again, take time to join with the disciples and to offer this prayer from the heart. Notice where each line or word speaks to you and take time to share this with the Lord. Matthew 6:7-15 ‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ‘Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.' “For your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Now, in your own words speak with God simply and in trust, as to a loving parent. 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 17 June 2026 - I will not leave you

Wednesday 17 June 2026 Today is Wednesday the 17th of June, in the 11th week of Ordinary Time. Enter into prayer now, becoming aware of God’s loving gaze upon you, as we hear Imbere Yanje by Judah Earle: ‘Answer me my God For it is to you that I pray I called to the Lord He heard my cry’. Unyishure Mwami wanje Kuko ari wewe nsenga N’bariye Uhoraho Ijwi ryanje uranyuvma Unyishure Mwami wanje Kuko ari wewe nsenga Ntawundi mfise atari wewe Data Ntamugisha mfise atari wewe S’mfise ichiza inyuma yawe Nashize imana imbere yanje Nashize imana imbere yanje Ntawundi mfise atari wewe Data Ntamugisha mfise atar’ wewe s’mfise ichiza unyuma yawe Nashize imana imbere yanje Answer me my God For it is to you that I pray I called to the Lord He heard my cry Answer me my Lord For it is to you that I pray I have no one else but you Father I have no one else but you I have no good apart from you I have placed the Lord ever before me I have placed the Lord ever before me I have no one else but you, Father I have no blessing apart from you I have no good apart from you I have placed the Lord ever before me Today’s reading is from the Second Book of Kings and we will hear the passage only once today. 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14 Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Then Elijah said to him, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.’ But he said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.’ Elisha said, ‘Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.’ He responded, ‘You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.’ As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, ‘Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!’ But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, ‘Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?’ When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over. In today’s passage, we watch as Elijah and Elisha walk together - teacher and disciple, mentor and companion - comfortable in both conversation and silence. Let’s walk with them and see what unfolds. Then comes Elijah’s request: “Please stay here.” There is a feeling of finality in the air, though it has not yet been spoken. Elisha responds, “As the Lord lives… I will not leave you.” As one is ready to move forward and the other is not wishing to let go, pay attention to what arises within you — love, resistance, hope. As they reach the River Jordan, Elijah makes a simple gesture, and the Lord parts the water so that they can cross on dry ground. Consider what “Jordan” may be before you. Where have you seen God make a way before, when you thought no way was possible? Then Elijah asks Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha’s request is not for authority or status, but for the spirit that sustained Elijah’s life with God. What might you ask for, if you were offered such a gift? As Elijah is taken into heaven, witness Elisha’s grief before he picks up the fallen cloak. “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” Elisha’s question comes from a desire to experience God in his own life. In a time of prayer, share this desire with the Lord in confidence and faith. 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 16 June 2026 - Pray for those who persecute you

Tuesday 16 June 2026 Today is Tuesday the 16th of June, in the 11th week of Ordinary Time. Jon Guerra sings, ‘Love Your Enemies’. As we prepare to pray these lines of scripture today, let this song carry you into prayer. Give to everyone who asks of you Be good to everybody, no matter who Do to them as you would have them do to you Love your enemies No greater love is there than this I laid down my life, and I would do it again I gave it to you, so give it to them Love your enemies Love, love, love your enemies And be children of your father in heaven Children of your father in heaven Turn the other cheek, put down your fists Give up your coat if someone asks for it What have you got that you were not given Give everything And when the sun sets on your labour Turning the tides, but not in your favour Love is a rescue And it'll save you For Love, love, love your enemies And be children of your father in heaven Children of your father in heaven If you love those who love you What good is it What good is it What good is it If you hate those who hate you What good is it Well, it's no good, no good at all If you love those who love you What good is it What good is it What good is it If you gain the whole world But lose your soul Well, it's no good, no good at all It's no good, no good at all Oh love, love, love your enemies And be children of your father in heaven Children of your father Children of your father Children of your father Children of your father in heaven Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 5:43-48 ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ In today’s passage, we are still listening to the Sermon on the Mount, with Jesus continuing to teach a deeper understanding of what the Law asks of the people. His words seem extravagant, asking far more than anyone might think possible. “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” What thoughts, what faces, what experiences come to mind when you hear this? “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Jesus describes the Father’s perfection as a willingness to be vulnerable, to offer grace and kindness simply because he is Father - not because of any worthiness in the one who receives. What feelings are arising in you? As you listen to the passage again, consider this indiscriminate, generous love that the Father pours out on all his children. Matthew 5:43-48 ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ “So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” Take this time of prayer to ask the Lord how you might bear witness to his presence in the world. 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