Today is Wednesday the 22nd of January in the 2nd week of Ordinary Time. Ex Cathedra, directed by Jeffrey Skidmore, sing Dulce Jesus mio: “My sweet Jesus, look with mercy on my lost soul.” As you sit here, or stand here now, trying to pray, what kind of shape is your soul in? Content and at peace? Lost and wandering? On the edge? And what about the other souls around you? Are there ‘lost souls’ here beside you who also need the love of God in their lives? Yya1 Jesuchrixhto, apuk1rui ityaku niyau...
Jan 22, 2025•13 min
Today is Tuesday the 21st of January, the feast of Saint Agnes, in the 2nd week of Ordinary Time. Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life. The most important thing for me to do now, as I enter into prayer, is to let go for a moment, to let go of my own concerns, my own worries and fears and reluctance, and let myself be led by God, trusting that God, who loves me, will lead me into life. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 2:23-28 One sabbath Jesus was going through the corn...
Jan 21, 2025•13 min
Today is Monday the 20th of January in the 2nd week of Ordinary Time. IAMSON sings, ‘Slow Down’. As we prepare to enter into prayer, you might like to use this time to slow down… Slow down, where are you going What's so important that can't wait Tell me what are you seeking What is it thats keeping you from Bringing me your questions All that you carry, all that you bury underneath Just slow down, just slow down And meet with me Rest now, be in the present Here in the blessings of today Listen j...
Jan 20, 2025•13 min
Today is Sunday the 19th of January, beginning the 2nd week of Ordinary Time. The Porter's Gate sing 'Water to Wine'. Consider now the hawks that fly Above the hills, beneath the sky Whose wisdom rings from overhead The earth below is daily bread Consider now the miracle Of rain that falls into the soil And swells the grape upon the vine It's always been water to wine Imagine every buried seed Enshrouded in the furrows deep That breaks itself apart to rise And lift the ground up to the skies Ima...
Jan 19, 2025•13 min
Welcome to the Saturday Examen. As you look back over this week of prayer, what really stands out for you? Did you at all feel the presence of God in your prayer this week? Was there one particular scripture passage or verse that really spoke to you this week? What do you think it might be saying to you now? Was there a point when you really experienced a lightness of heart, and felt that God was there? Was there a moment when you had no sense at all of the presence of God? Why do you think that...
Jan 18, 2025•7 min
Today is Friday the 17th of January, the feast of Saint Anthony, in the 1st week of Ordinary Time. Salt of the Sound sings, ‘It Is Well With My Soul’. Take a moment to recognise the presence of Jesus as you begin to pray today… Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul My sin - oh, the bliss of this glorious thought My sin, not in part but the whole Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! It is well with my ...
Jan 17, 2025•13 min
Today is Thursday the 16th of January in the 1st week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing Psalm 146: “It is good to sing in honour of our God - sweet is his praise. The Lord, Restorer of Jerusalem! He brought back Israel's exiles, healing their broken hearts, and binding up their wounds.” Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 1:40-45 A leper came to [Jesus] begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, Jesus...
Jan 16, 2025•12 min
Today is Wednesday the 15th of January in the 1st week of Ordinary Time. The Community of Taizé sing Misericordias Domini. ‘I will sing forever of the mercy of God.’ Today’s reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews. Hebrews 2:14-18 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of dea...
Jan 15, 2025•12 min
Today is Tuesday the 14th of January in the 1st week of Ordinary Time. The Good Shepherd Collective sings, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’. Can you make these words your own today? Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty Early in the morning Our song shall rise to Thee Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty God in three persons Blessed Trinity! Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea. Cherubim and seraphim, falling down before thee, Who was and is and ev...
Jan 14, 2025•13 min
Today is Monday the 13th of January in the 1st week of Ordinary Time. Tenebrae, directed by Nigel Short, sing 'Joyful Light' from Rachmaninoff’s Vespers. “Joyful light of the holy glory of the immortal one.” As I look around me now, can I sense that light, that holy presence here, and invite God’s joyful light into my life? Svete tikhyi svyatyya slavy, Bezsmertnago, Otsa Nebesnago, Svyatago Blazhennago, Iisuse Khriste! Prishedshe na zapad solntsa, videvshe svet vechernii, poyem Otsa, Syna i Svya...
Jan 13, 2025•12 min
Today is Sunday the 12th of January, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Maximilian sings, ‘Jordan’s Waters’. You laid aside Your glory on the banks of the Jordan And all for me You went down to the depths You traded Heaven's borders for the chill of murky waters And took the place of one condemned to death That day John preached for man to draw near But God it's You that came down here Making shorter Man's road to You In Jordan's waters I'm being made new As You plunged into the deep in searc...
Jan 12, 2025•13 min
Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Find a large chair, if possible one with arms. Sit down, deliberately, in the chair. Place your arms on the arms of the chair. Just let them rest there. Feel the chair holding the weight of your body. Close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply. Be still. Sit with the sensation of being held by the chair. In your imagination let the chair become a very special chair, perhaps even a throne. Are your feet planted on the ground, or are they dangling, as a child’s? ...
Jan 11, 2025•8 min
Today is Friday the 10th of January in the season of Christmas. One Hope Project sings, ‘My Soul Rests’. Take a moment to become aware of Jesus’ presence with you now… Here in this mystery Here in Your majesty I find myself With nothing to offer Your love surrounds me You give me yourself My soul rests, my soul rests In your embrace My spirit sings, my spirit sings All your praise Here in your presence The whole host of heaven Bows down low There’s no higher honour No love that’s greater You mak...
Jan 10, 2025•12 min
Today is Thursday the 9th of January in the season of Christmas. The Cape Town Camerata sings 'Ubi Caritas': Wherever love is true, God is there. Today’s reading is from the First Letter of John. 1 John 4:19-5:4 We love because he first loved us. Those who say, ‘I love God’, and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must lov...
Jan 09, 2025•13 min
Today is Wednesday the 8th of January in the season of Christmas. The St Thomas Music Group sing the Prayer of St Theresa by Margaret Rizza. ‘Let nothing disturb you, nothing distress you. While all things fade away, God is unchanging. Be patient, for with God in your heart, nothing is lacking. God is enough.’ Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 6:45-52 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. ...
Jan 08, 2025•13 min
Today is Tuesday the 7th of January in the season of Christmas. The community of Taizé sing Gott ist nur Liebe. ‘God is nothing but love. Dare to give all for love. Give yourselves without fear.’ Gott ist nur Liebe. Wagt, für die Liebe alles zu geben. Gott ist nur Liebe. Gebt euch ohne Furcht. Today’s reading is from the First Letter of John. 1 John 4:7-10 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not k...
Jan 07, 2025•12 min
Today is Monday the 6th of January in the season of Christmas. Matthew Wright sings, ‘Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful’. Can you make these your own words today? Oh Lord, You're beautiful Your face is all I seek For when Your eyes are on this child Your grace abounds to me Oh Lord, You're beautiful Your face is all I seek For when Your eyes are on this child Your grace abounds to me I want to take Your word and shine it all around But first help me to just, to live it Lord And when I'm doing well, help...
Jan 06, 2025•13 min
Today is Sunday the 5th of January, the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Star of Wonder’. As we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, you might like to imagine yourself as one of the Magi, making their way towards Jesus… Star of wonder Star of royal beauty bright Shine your light on earth below Guide the way For a King Wise men bring their gifts of gold Sweet perfume and precious oil Holy anointing Gloria, gloria… Empty handed Can I come just as I am? Or like a shepher...
Jan 05, 2025•16 min
Welcome to the Saturday Examen. The start of a New Year is a favourite time for looking back and looking forward. Let today’s examen prayer be a review of how God has worked with you in the last year, and what you need for the year ahead. First ask God for the gift of clear sight as you look over the year that has just finished. Now see what you notice about the last twelve months. In particular, where did you discover the light, the life, and the energy that are the signs of God’s presence. Lif...
Jan 04, 2025•10 min
Today is Friday the 3rd of January, the feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Checko Ankrah and Nicky Lathbridge sing, ‘High and Lifted’. You are worthy to be praised You are worthy to be praised You are high and lifted up You are high and lifted up You are high and lifted up Oh Lord You are high and lifted up We're surrounded by Your presence, oh God You are high and lifted up Your glory fills Your glory fills the space, oh God You are high and lifted up I hear the sound of angels I hear the so...
Jan 03, 2025•11 min
