Tuesday 21 July 2026 - Shepherd your people

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

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