Monday 13 July 2026 - Learn to do good

Monday 13 July 2026 - Learn to do good

Monday 13 July 2026 Today is Monday the 13th of July, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time. One Hope Project sings, ‘Good Work In Me’. How is God transforming you at the moment? Everything I have within And all that is before me Meet me in this broken place Transform it for Your glory I lay this life down Fall into You now A sacrifice of praise Surrendered to You My loving Saviour I trust in Your great name You will meet me in my hurting, Jesus You are all I need Your love will satisfy I trust the plans You have for me I will stand upon the promise You have not forsaken me You walk beside me in the waiting You are doing a good work in me Now when I'm faced with trials I'll choose Your joy each morning I trust You though I'm terrified So use me for Your glory You are a God of transformation Your presence carries restoration You deserve my praise There's power in Your name Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 1:10-17 Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt-offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. When you come to appear before me, who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more; bringing offerings is futile; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and sabbath and calling of convocation— I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity. Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them. When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. In today’s reading, no one seems safe from Isaiah’s challenging words. Might we sense God speaking through Isaiah - not with imagined anger, but with the heartbreak of someone whose children have forgotten what love looks like. The rituals are celebrated, prayers are recited, sacrifices are offered. But for what? For whom? Are there times when, although you want your faith to be authentic, you retreat to habit, routine, or appearances? The prophet offers a different, truer way: “…Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” As you listen to the passage again, reflect a little more on what the Lord is asking of you. Perhaps you might think of an action or practice that you could take up to reflect this in your own life. Isaiah 1:10-17 Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt-offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. When you come to appear before me, who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more; bringing offerings is futile; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and sabbath and calling of convocation— I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity. Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them. When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. “Learn to do good; seek justice.” As this time of prayer comes to an end, take time to speak with the Lord, asking for guidance in your relationship with 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

Sunday 12 July 2026 - Giving seed to the sower

Sunday 12 July 2026 Today is Sunday the 12th of July, Sea Sunday, beginning the 15th week of Ordinary Time. The Nuns of St Cecilia’s Abbey sing Oculi omnium in te sperant: ‘The eyes of all turn to you in hope, O Lord: and you give them food in due season. You open your hand and fill every creature with blessing.’ As you listen, turn your attention, your eyes, your heart, to God. Amid any noise and activity around you, hold yourself in stillness for a moment, ready to accept what God has to give you. Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 55:10-11 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Today’s reading gives us an image of abundance, and of the provision of God. Take a moment to recall the gifts you receive from God each day – the food you eat, the water you drink, the very breath you breathe... We get an image in this passage of a connectedness: from the rain and snow to the earth, the seed, the sower, the bread, the eater... Today we celebrate “Sea Sunday”, a chance to give thanks for our seafarers and fishers, another example of how we are connected without seeing the full process. How often do you pause to consider the chain of events that brings the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the safety we experience? Can you see God moving in each step? As you hear the reading again, notice that this image of connection in producing food also displays the journey of the word and purpose of God. Isaiah 55:10-11 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 'But it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.' Speak to God about what God’s success looks like... you might like to ask for help in recognising the things that God is purposing. 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 11 July 2026 - A photograph album

Saturday 11 July 2026 Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Spend a moment becoming still. Today, we will revisit a slightly different style of Examen reflection we have used before:  Imagine yourself in a place where you feel at peace.  It might be your own room at home.  There are two chairs there and you sit on one of these. There is a knock on the door, and you open it.  It is Jesus.  You invite him to sit down.  What is it like to have him there?  He has brought a book with him, and you realise that it is a photograph album of the week...  He has taken pictures of you throughout the week. You and Jesus look through the photos talking about them.  If one in particular catches your eye, for which you are grateful, spend some time with it and talk to Jesus about it . . . Is there a particular picture Jesus wants you to look at?  What do you feel about his choice?  What do you say to him about it? Is there a picture there which you wish wasn’t there?  Talk to him about that too. When you are ready the album is closed.  What do you ask of Jesus before he departs, to help you for the week ahead?  How do you take leave of each other?  How do you feel 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

Friday 10 July 2026 - Sheep into the midst of wolves

Friday 10 July 2026 Today is Friday the 10th of July, in the 14th week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach with The Porter’s Gate sings a setting of Psalm 46, from Companion Songs. Can you join in with this Psalm? Where can you find some comfort in it? We will not fear, though the earth gives way There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy place where the Most High dwells. We will not fear, though the earth gives way God is within her, she will not fall God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall He lifts his voice, the earth melts. Come and see what the Lord has done The desolations he has brought on the earth He makes wars cease To the ends of the earth. We will not fear, though the earth gives way He breaks the bow and shatters the spear He burns the shields with fire. We will not fear, though the earth gives way He says, ‘Be still, be still, be still and know that I am God’ We will not fear, though the earth gives way Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 10:16-23 ‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.’ Imagine for a moment you are being sent out here by Jesus... How does it sound to hear that you will be like a sheep among wolves? Jesus speaks to his disciples of then but also now, who will be facing persecution. Have you faced persecution, or perhaps you know someone who has? Take a moment to pray for all those facing suffering because of their faith... Spend a few moments now just talking to God about the thoughts and feelings that have awoken in you as you listen to the Gospel again. Matthew 10:16-23 ‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.’ Talk to God now... you might find yourself talking about your own need for the courage and wisdom to respond to the call of discipleship and the cost of following God. Or you may want to simply share with God what is in 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

Thursday 9 July 2026 - Tenderness and love

Thursday 9 July 2026 Today is Thursday the 9th of July, the feast of Saint Leo Ignatius Mangin, Saint Mary Zhu Wu and Companions, in the 14th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing Psalm 115: “I love the Lord, he hears my cry, he bends down to listen to me when I call” – words which paint a beautiful picture of God bending down to me like a mother or father bending down to their child, full of tenderness and love. As you listen, reflect for a moment on that ‘tender, loving care’ – that love that God has for you… can you also offer this love back to God? Today’s reading is from the Prophet Hosea. Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them. How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. Imagine you are looking at a mother or a father with a very young child. Perhaps you can see a parent and child in front of you right now. If not, try and imagine it for a moment. That is how Hosea paints the picture of the relationship between God and his people, here called “Israel” or “Ephraim”. God notices, even complains about their unfaithfulness, but that complaint is held in balance by his memories of loving Ephraim as a child. Some people carry a photograph around with them to remind them of someone they love, someone who loves them. Perhaps you do. Which person who loves you, or whom you love, does all this bring to mind? Listen to the reading again; note how in the passage, God both lifts us up to his level and also comes down to our level. Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them. How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. Can I ask God now to help me grasp, with my mind and with my heart, just how much he loves me? 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