Friday 5 September 2025 Today is Friday the 5th of September, in the 22nd week of Ordinary Time. The Choir of Royal Holloway sings, ‘One in Christ’. When we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home. Dying and living you declared your love and opened the gate of glory. Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Colossians. Colossians 1:15-20 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, ...
Sep 05, 2025•13 min
Thursday 4 September 2025 Today is Thursday the 4th of September, in the 22nd week of Ordinary Time. Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Nearer My God to Thee’. Nearer, my God, to Thee Nearer to Thee Even though it be a cross That raiseth me Still all my song shall be Nearer, my God, to Thee Nearer, my God, to Thee Nearer to Thee Though like the wanderer The sun gone down Darkness be over me My rest a stone Yet in my dreams I’d be Nearer, my God, to Thee Nearer, my God, to Thee Nearer to Thee Still all my...
Sep 04, 2025•13 min
Wednesday 3 September 2025 Today is Wednesday the 3rd of September, the feast of Saint Gregory the Great, in the 22nd week of Ordinary Time. The Porter’s Gate sing, ‘You Are My Sanctuary’. You are my sanctuary My hiding place Where I belong You are my peaceful harbour You will bring me Safely home Out in the dark, when the light is gone Your waves and breakers roll over me And when my anchor won’t touch the ground Deep calls to deep You are my sanctuary My hiding place Where I belong You are my ...
Sep 03, 2025•13 min
Tuesday 2 September 2025 Today is Tuesday the 2nd of September, in the 22nd 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 Jesuchrix...
Sep 02, 2025•12 min
Monday 1 September 2025 Today is Monday the 1st of September, in the 22nd week of Ordinary Time. The Community of Taizé sing Misericordias Domini. ‘I will sing forever of the mercy of God.’ (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus die...
Sep 01, 2025•11 min
Sunday 31 August 2025 Today is Sunday the 31st of August, beginning the 22nd week of Ordinary Time. Jon Guerra sings, ‘Jesus’. The wisdom and the word The speaking and the silence The stillness and the stir The Spirit in the quiet The son of God and man The sinner’s lamentation The flesh of the I Am The song of our salvation Jesus, Jesus, Jesus The dawnbird song of life The spring of earth and heaven The water and the wine The everlasting leaven My life, my truth, my way The stone on which I stu...
Aug 31, 2025•13 min
Saturday 30 August 2025 Welcome to the Saturday Examen. This week we have heard from St Paul and his encouraging parenting of the church in Thessalonica. We have reflected a little on St Monica who prayed diligently for her son St Augustine. We have remembered the love of God our Father for us. Examine your role as a praying parent or guardian. It could be for a group, a church, for a family member. Like Monica for Augustine, you might have prayed for a very long time. Think of the best of times...
Aug 30, 2025•9 min
Friday 29 August 2025 Today is Friday the 29th of August, the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist, in the 21st week of Ordinary Time. IamSon, Paul Zach and Jessica Fox sing, ‘Total Praise’. Lord, I will lift my eyes to the hills Knowing my help is coming from You Your peace You give me in time of the storm You are the source of my strength You are the strength of my life I lift my hands in total praise to You Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 6:17-29 For Herod himself had sent men...
Aug 29, 2025•13 min
Thursday 28 August 2025 Today is Thursday the 28th of August, the feast of Saint Augustine, in the 21st week of Ordinary Time. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing Ecce quam bonum: “ How good and how pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in unity! It is like precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes.” (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians. 1...
Aug 28, 2025•11 min
Wednesday 27 August 2025 Today is Wednesday the 27th of August, the feast of Saint Monica, in the 21st week of Ordinary Time. The Porter’s Gate sing, ‘Every Mother, Every Father’. Every mother, every father called to raise up sons or daughters May your heart be patient, may your mind be clear, may our God be with you, and calm your fears. Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 You remember our labour and toil, brothers and sisters; we worke...
Aug 27, 2025•11 min
Tuesday 26 August 2025 Today is Tuesday the 26th of August, in the 21st week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing, Jésus le Christ: ‘Jesus Christ, inner light, do not let my darkness speak to me. Jesus Christ, inner light, let me welcome your love.’ Jésus le Christ, lumière intérieure, ne laisse pas mes ténèbres me parler. Jésus le Christ, lumière intérieure, donne-moi d'accueillir ton amour. Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Y...
Aug 26, 2025•12 min
Monday 25 August 2025 Today is Monday the 25th of August, in the 21st week of Ordinary Time. It is the Spirit of love who gives life. God is the source of all life, the one in whom we live and move and have our being. As I look around me now, the “Spirit of love” may not be easy to see, but, if I try, can I sense God’s presence? Can I sense God’s Holy Spirit here? It is the Spirit of love who gives life, who even at night guides my heart; I say to this Spirit of love, true joy lies in you alone....
Aug 25, 2025•13 min
Sunday 24 August 2025 Today is Sunday the 24th of August, beginning the 21st week of Ordinary Time. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing: Venite exsultemus Domino. “Come, ring out our joy to the Lord; hail the God who saves us. Let us come before him giving thanks. With songs let us hail the Lord.” As I listen, I become aware that I am in God’s presence right now. As I come before the Lord, I give thanks for God’s goodness to me, and present myself to him, just as I am. Today’s reading is from the...
Aug 24, 2025•13 min
Saturday 23 August 2025 Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Each Saturday we devote a time of prayer to looking back over the week that’s passed. The prayer invites God to show us more clearly where and how God has been active in our week. We also look at how we’ve responded to what God has been doing. Start today’s prayer by asking for that clearer vision of God’s presence. So what’s the first thing that you remember as you review the week? Stay with that for a moment or two, and re-live it here an...
Aug 23, 2025•9 min
Friday 22 August 2025 Today is Friday the 22nd of August, the feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the 20th week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach, Jessica Fox and IamSon sing, ‘Lead Me, Guide Me’. I am weak, and I need your strength and power To help me o’er my weakest hour; Help me through the darkness Thy face to see, Lead me, O Lord, lead me. Lead me, guide me along the way; Lord, if You lead me, I will not stray; Lord, let me walk each day with Thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me. Tod...
Aug 22, 2025•13 min
Thursday 21 August 2025 Today is Thursday the 21st of August, the feast of Saint Pius X, in the 20th week of Ordinary Time. The Kyiv Chamber Choir sing In Thy Kingdom from One Thousand Years Of Ukrainian Sacred Music. (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 22:1-14 Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been in...
Aug 21, 2025•13 min
Wednesday 20 August 2025 Today is Wednesday the 20th of August, the feast of Saint Bernard, in the 20th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing: Le Seigneur est Roi: “The Lord is King, with majesty enrobed; the Lord has robed himself with might; he has girded himself with power.” As I listen, can I imagine God like this, as King of the world? And the people around me, the whole world around me, as God’s kingdom? Today’s reading is from the Book of Judges. Judges 9:6-15 ...
Aug 20, 2025•13 min
Tuesday 19 August 2025 Today is Tuesday the 19th of August, in the 20th week of Ordinary Time. Jon Guerra sings, ‘The Kingdom of God’. How does this song speak to you today? Oh that I could see your face How I’m longing for that day Brighter sun of holy grace Make my heart a holy place Blessed are the poor who have nothing to own Blessed are the mourners who are crying alone Blessed are the guilty who have nowhere to go For their hearts have a road to the kingdom of God And their souls are the s...
Aug 19, 2025•12 min
Monday 18 August 2025 Today is Monday the 18th of August, the feast of Saint Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga SJ, in the 20th week of Ordinary Time. Bifrost Arts sings, ‘O God, Will You Restore Us?’ O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? I will hear what God proclaims The Lord our God proclaims peace Kindness and truth shall meet Justice and peace shall kiss O God, will You restore us And grant us Your salvation? Here is the fast t...
Aug 18, 2025•13 min
Sunday 17 August 2025 Today is Sunday the 17th of August, beginning the 20th week of Ordinary Time. Good Shepherd Collective with Liz Vice and Dee Wilson sing, ‘All Shall Be Well’. Thank you for the sun Thank you for the moon Thank you for the stars above And the darkness too Bless you for your peace Bless you for your grace Bless you for your perfect love And your perfect ways And all shall be well All shall be well All manner of things shall be well Oh, use me as you will Remove my selfish pri...
Aug 17, 2025•13 min
Saturday 16 August 2025 Welcome to the Saturday Examen. This week we have witnessed moments of encounter, hope and trust. We trust that the Lord has walked with us through every moment of this week. Lord, help us to enter this time of reflection with honesty and peace, knowing You hold us in love. Let your heart recall the blessings of the week. Where did you feel supported, cared for, or at peace? What moments reminded you of God’s faithfulness? Thank You, Lord, for the quiet ways You provided ...
Aug 16, 2025•9 min
Friday 15 August 2025 Today is Friday the 15th of August, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the 19th week of Ordinary Time. Juliano Ravanello sings the Magnificat, the song of Mary: “My soul glorifies the Lord. My Spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. He looks on his servant in her lowliness. Henceforth, all ages will call me blessed.” As I listen, can I sense the Lord looking on me in my lowliness, and can I rejoice in him and in all that he does for me? (Lyrics currently ...
Aug 15, 2025•13 min
Thursday 14 August 2025 Today is Thursday the 14th of August, the feast of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, in the 19th week of Ordinary Time. Julia Shaw with We Are Bread & Wine sings ‘God Is With Us’. From dust we are and shall return Naked we came and shall return Fullness of breath in our lungs Was your first gift to us So breathe again and we will live closer to love Marvellous light flashed in your eyes as you hung the sky Your world teemed with life branches and vine chaos refined No eye has s...
Aug 14, 2025•13 min
Wednesday 13 August 2025 Today is Wednesday the 13th of August, in the 19th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing the Benedictus: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, He has visited his people and redeemed them. As you enter into prayer today, rest for a moment in the confidence that - whatever may seem wrong with the world, or with our lives - God’s love redeems it all: ‘The Lord has visited his people and redeemed them’. (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s rea...
Aug 13, 2025•13 min
Tuesday 12 August 2025 Today is Tuesday the 12th of August, in the 19th week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach sings, ‘Nothing to Fear'. When you pass through the waters I will be with you And the depths of the river shall not overwhelm When you walk through the fire you will not be burned I am the Lord, I am the Lord And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear For I am with you always In the depths of your sorrow I wept beside you When you walked through th...
Aug 12, 2025•13 min
Monday 11 August 2025 Today is Monday the 11th of August, the feast of Saint Clare, in the 19th week of Ordinary Time. As you enter into prayer today, take a moment to slow down. Right down... and notice where you are. As you hear Sanctus Dominum by Margaret Rizza, notice what is around you... what else can you hear? What can you see? What is nearby? People? Objects? Nature? In all of this, God is present. Right here, right now. God’s presence sanctifies this ordinary place, and these ordinary p...
Aug 11, 2025•13 min
Sunday 10 August 2025 Today is Sunday the 10th of August, beginning the 19th week of Ordinary Time. Eliza King sings, ‘Christ Abides’. In the crowded thoughts, You are an open space And I hear Your voice, calling me to come away Where the eagles fly, You're raising me high with You To heavenly places, heavenly places I have the mind of Christ My portion is His perfect peace For Christ abides with me I'll seek You, Lord, and here in Your shadow hide I won't dread the day, nor fear the terror of t...
Aug 10, 2025•13 min
Saturday 9 August 2025 Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Take a moment to become still and alert, in the presence of God. As you look back over your 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 is 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...
Aug 09, 2025•9 min
Friday 8 August 2025 Today is Friday the 8th of August, the feast of Saint Dominic, in the 18th 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 Book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy 4:32-40 For ask now...
Aug 08, 2025•13 min
Thursday 7 August 2025 Today is Thursday the 7th of August, in the 18th week of Ordinary Time. Juliano Ravanello sings ‘Santo é o Senhor Nosso Deus’: Holy is the Lord our God. (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 16:13-20 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the...
Aug 07, 2025•12 min
