Sunday 21 June 2026 - Sing to the Lord

Monday 29 June 2026 - I will follow you

Monday 29 July 2026 Today is Monday the 29th of June, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time. In today’s reflection, we will pray with the idea of what it costs to follow Jesus. As you listen to Jon Guerra singing, ‘Take Up Your Cross’, become aware of Jesus’ loving presence with you. If anyone would come after me Let him deny himself Take up his cross Follow me If anyone would come after me Let him deny himself Take up his cross Follow me Whoever would save his life Will lose it Whoever loses his life for me Will find it If anyone claims to worship God Let him give all away Take up his cross Follow me Whoever would save his life Will lose it Whoever loses his life for me Will find it What would it profit a man If he gains the whole world And forfeits his soul What would it profit a man at all What would it profit a man If he dies with a barn full of silver and gold What would it profit a man at all If anyone would come after me Let him deny himself Take up his cross Follow me Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 8:18-22 Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. A scribe then approached and said, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ Another of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’ In our passage today, Jesus speaks of the “cost of following”. When the scribe declares that he will follow Jesus wherever he goes, we might have expected Jesus to respond with a lighter tone, some congratulatory remarks, or even a pat on the back. Instead, Jesus responds by saying, “follow me, and I promise it will be tough.” How do you feel about this challenging invitation? If Jesus was inviting you to follow him here, what would be the first thing that you would want to “sort out” before feeling free to fully join him? Are you able to give that up? As this short passage is read again, imagine the scene, with you in it, perhaps in the place of the scribe – share what it feels like to speak these words to Jesus, and to hear his reply. Matthew 8:18-22 Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. A scribe then approached and said, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ Another of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’ "I will follow you wherever you go." Are these words you want to speak to Jesus now, in response to his challenge? Perhaps you would choose different words. Whatever it is you want to say, speak to the Lord who is listening to you 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

Sunday 28 June 2026 - The Lord has sent his angel

Sunday 28 June 2026 Today is Sunday the 28th of June, the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, beginning the 13th week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach, Jessica Fox and iAmSon sing ‘Bless the Lord’. What are the great things the Lord has done for you? Bless the Lord O my soul And all that is within me Bless His holy name For he has done great things Bless His holy name Bless the Lord O my soul And all that is within me Bless His holy name For he has done great things Bless His holy name Bless the Lord O my soul And all that is within me Bless His holy name For he has done great things Alleluia Bless His holy name Today’s reading is from the Book of Acts. Acts 12:1-11 About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.) When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him. The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, ‘Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.’ He did so. Then he said to him, ‘Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.’ Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.’ In today’s reading we hear of the killing of James the brother of John by Herod, then move on quickly to hear the story of Peter’s release from prison. We take a moment to acknowledge the stark difference in outcome for these two beloved followers of Jesus. We hear that when Peter was imprisoned and four squads of soldiers were sent to guard him, the church was fervently praying for him. How and when have you been supported in prayer? And what difference did this make to you? As you listen to the reading again, in your imagination, keep company with Peter as he awakes and follows the angel. The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, ‘Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.’ He did so. Then he said to him, ‘Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.’ Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.’ As we approach the end of this prayer time, we remember how the church was praying earnestly for Peter in prison. Who perhaps needs your earnest prayer in their current situation? Pray for them now as you come to the end of this time. 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 27 June 2026 - Gratitude and prayer

Saturday 27 June 2026 Welcome to the Saturday Examen. You may like to take a little longer to prepare yourself for prayer today. So, take a moment to allow yourself to feel comfortable wherever you are. What do you need to be at home with the Lord and feel comfortable? Become aware of the rhythm of your breathing. If you are feeling anxious about something, acknowledge this with the Lord who already knows, understands and welcomes you with whatever you bring to prayer today. Continue to breathe slowly and imagine that you are beginning to come to rest in the Lord’s loving presence. You may like to imagine that you are leaning on him. We will read through a selection of verses from this week’s scripture passages. You may use these to jog your memory, or perhaps just notice which verse most speaks to you today. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed.  Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God.  Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I do choose.” As you sit with the Lord today, share any memories from your prayer times this week, or reflect on the verse that most speaks to you today. Now call to mind some of the moments in the past week. Which moment most stands out to you as being a life-giving moment? Which moment stands out as being a life-draining moment? Offer these moments to the Lord in gratitude and prayer. For the remaining time in prayer, focus once again on your breathing and simply let the Lord surround you with his loving 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

Friday 26 June 2026 - Be made clean

Friday 26 June 2026 Today is Friday the 26th of June, in the 12th week of Ordinary Time. Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing: ‘Inhliziyo Zethu’: ‘You will make my heart pure’. A pure heart is a heart that is open to God, that doesn’t seek its own advantage, but wants whatever God wants. As I enter into prayer today, I ask for that openness of heart. I ask the Lord to lead my heart to him, to guide me in the way he wants me to go. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 8:1-4 When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ Try to picture this man with leprosy now...his appearance...his garments...his posture...his diseased skin...how do his isolation and suffering show on his face? ‘The leper came to Jesus and knelt before him.’ Now picture Jesus with the leper, knelt at his feet... How does Jesus welcome him?... Look at him?... Perhaps touch him?... Gaze upon this scene for a moment with your heart. The leper asks, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ As the reading is read again, continue to watch the scene, noticing what most moves you. Matthew 8:1-4 When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ Jesus says to the leper, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Perhaps there is something you would like to ask of Jesus today. In the quiet, bring your own requests to his feet as you pray. 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 25 June 2026 - The house of your faith

Thursday 25 June 2026 Today is Thursday the 25th of June, in the 12th week of Ordinary Time. 'In God alone is my soul at rest. He alone is my rock, my strength.' There are probably things on my mind as I try to pray, right now. Things bothering me, worrying me, things I’ve got to do. Those hassles and concerns may be important. But for these few minutes, can I just put them on one side, and find a moment of peace for my soul? A moment of rest with my God, my rock, my strength? Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 7:21-29 ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.” ‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!’ Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. We might have been familiar with the house on the rock parable since childhood, but today we are going to reflect on this parable of Jesus as if we were doing an examen. Reflect on your life recently. When did you most hear and act on the wise words of Jesus? Maybe you can recall a moment of consolation, as if the house of your faith was built on a rock. When recently have you not acted on Jesus’s words, perhaps leaning on your own understanding only? Maybe there was a feeling of your house collapsing under the buffeting of the rain and wind when your circumstances were challenging. Or perhaps you feared this happening. As we hear the reading again, offer these times, times of wisdom and times of foolishness, to God and his loving mercy... Matthew 7:21-29 ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.” ‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!’ Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. As we prepare to end our time of prayer, offer your gift of faith to the Lord, whether you feel that it’s built on the sand or on rock at present. Let him see your heart and listen for his voice. 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