“and in another thirty”
“But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Grace
“Continue in my word”
Since April 2020 I have been hosting a Lectio Divina group, one beautiful outcome of the Covid lockdowns.
Tending fig trees
I’m wondering. Who is the man? Who is the gardener? And why hasn’t the gardener been doing his job for three years?
“Exploring Prayer”, a series
For three years I wrote a series of articles for Exeter Cathedral, introducing contemplative prayer as a way deepening our relationship with God.
“What is the point of contemplative prayer?”
Or are we asking the wrong questions? For one of the points of contemplative prayer is that it has no point, and our goal-oriented and purpose-driven world finds this hard to grasp.
Guided Meditation: Jesus speaks to the weary
An imaginative meditation on Jesus as he is teaching ‘I will give you rest’.
“Prayer at/on the edge”
“Come to the edge. We might fall. Come to the edge. It’s too high! COME TO THE EDGE! And they came, And he pushed, And they flew.” – Christopher Logue
Guided Meditation: Centring Prayer
A guided meditation introducing Centring Prayer as taught by Fr Thomas Keating OCSO; for use in groups.
“Spiritual journalling”
In essence, a prayer journal is a written record of your relationship with God. Putting things down on paper accesses different parts of the brain, and in the hard times, it may remind you of God’s faithfulness.
Guided Meditation: Jesus visiting Zaccheus
A guided reflection on the story of Zaccheus meeting Jesus; in the style of Ignatian meditation.
“Finding God in all things”
Teach me, my God and King,
In all things Thee to see,
And what I do in anything
To do it as for Thee.
— from The Elixir by George Herbert
“Praying continuously”
In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul urged his readers to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5.17). So what does this mean?
“The Jesus Prayer”
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Guided Meditation: Shining like the sun
An imaginative meditation based on Thomas Merton’s realisation that all people are walking around shining like the sun; for use in groups.
“Praying with icons”
Many icons depict Jesus, or Mary presenting her son, as gazing directly at the pray-er, inviting eye contact as a way into encounter with the person of Jesus.
“Dramatised Mark” in Exeter Cathedral
A dramatised reading of of the Gospel according to St Mark created by Professor Chris Bryan and directed by David Gunn-Johnson.
“Compline: A celebration of Ascension” in St Olave’s Church
Performance of “On the Holy Mountain” by Andrew Wilson and other vocal and instrumental music, concluding with the ancient close-of-the-day service of Compline. Hosted by Margaret Aagesen Hughes (Soprano) and Clare Bryden (Alto).
“Friendship with God”
Consider your friendship with God. How do you relate to God as you would relate to a friend? What makes a good friendship?
“Accompaniment in prayer”
Spiritual Directors or Soul Friends will not finish the race for us. But they will share the journey and help us notice where God is active in our relationship of prayer and in our daily lives.
“Always beginning in prayer”
We are all always beginning in prayer, and always will be. The true experts in prayer have a beginner’s mind, always open to new possibilities.
Come and Pray: Lectio Divina
Come and Pray was a day-long event at Exeter Cathedral, featuring opportunities to engage in different forms of prayer and worship. It was lovely to play a small part myself, leading a shared Lectio Divina session for anyone who wished to experience a new way of praying with the Bible.
“Praying our Gratitude”
Gratitude reminds us of abundance and leads to an attitude of contentment, interdependence, and respect for Creation and Creator.
Guided meditation: Encountering the Depths
An imaginative meditation on Julian of Norwich’s description of her thoughts being led down to the seabed; using the approach of Anthony de Mello in Sadhana; for use in groups.
“Petition through contemplation”
There are two basic blunders that we can make make in praying for ourselves: to be too demanding; and not to ask at all.
Guided meditation: The Common Mind
A meditation on Ephesians 4.11-15, on our common mind and growing up in every way into Christ; in the style of Lectio Divina; for use in groups.
“Contemplative intercession”
Three (very tentative) understandings of what I am doing in intercession as part of my contemplative practice
Guided meditation: The Apostolate of Prayer
A meditation on an excerpt from Encountering the Depths on our co-operation with God in prayer; in the style of Lectio Divina; for use in groups.
The Pilgrim Chapel at Malling Abbey: Drawing in light
Refuge from the heat. Saturated with silence. Present to my presence.
“Visio Divina, praying with the eyes of your heart”
The slow reading of a picture may be more helpful to those who find it easier to engage visually with the world rather than through words
“Playful prayer”
Playful prayer – being light-hearted, spontaneous, simply enjoying God – helps us avoid ‘worthiness’ and ploddery.
Guided meditation: Listening
A meditation flowing between listening to our breathing, to exterior and interior, and to God; for use in groups.
“Discerning the path of prayer”
“Pray as you can and do not try to pray as you can’t. Take yourself as you find yourself: start from that.”
Jetzt ist die Zeit!
At Kirchentag I learnt a new word: ‘Impuls’… an idea, inspiration, stimulation, or prompt to conversation, action or prayer…
“The purpose of prayer techniques”
“Prayer is not a technique but a relationship. There is no unfitness, no obstacle, no problem… All anyone can do for us is to keep our eyes on Jesus…”
Guided meditation: The Search for a Relationship
A meditation on an excerpt from Encountering the Depths on our relationship with God; in the style of Lectio Divina; for use in groups.
“Praying the Lord’s Prayer”
As you read scripture or spiritual writing, one saying or word might strike you. Stop and write it out long-hand. Then ask yourself three questions…
Preaching to the birds
Gradually becoming aware that I was surrounded by birdsong, I began to muse and murmur…
“Praying with three questions”
As you read scripture or spiritual writing, one saying or word might strike you. Stop and write it out long-hand. Then ask yourself three questions…
For as soon as…
“Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” (Matthew 7.7-8; NRSV)
“Walking and Praying the Labyrinth”
Praying a labyrinth is a journey to the centre. It is akin to walking a winding pilgrim path, taking time to reflect and ponder our interior landscape.
Slow Book Group: Anthony de Mello, Awareness
Some notes on running a one-off group reading Awareness by Anthony de Mello, including questions for prompting discussion and a guided meditation (or two).
Guided meditation: Awareness
A meditation using the list of contents in Awareness by Anthony De Mello; in the style of Lectio Divina; for use in groups.
“Compline: A contemplative journey through Lent” in St Olave’s Church
The ancient close-of-the-day service of Compline, with plainchant and polyphony. Hosted by Margaret Aagesen Hughes (Soprano) and Clare Bryden (Alto). Featuring musicians Andrew Maries (Oboe), Sophie Brewer (Flute), Catherine Bradley (Cello), John Draisey (Keyboard) and the music of Andrew Wilson.
“Praying the Examen”
The Examen is a way of reflecting prayerfully on your day. It may be a very short prayer, or a period of longer reflection. It may prayed at any time, but is often prayed last thing at night.
“The apophatic way: desiring God in the darkness”
The apophatic, or negative, way of prayer starts with the teaching that God is no thing that we can grasp. God is utterly transcendent and beyond every thing that God has made.
Slow Book Group: Paula Gooder, Everyday God
Some notes on running a group reading Paula Gooder’s book for Ordinary Time: “Everyday God” over six months, holding a space for the members to reflect on the text and how any insights might help them in their prayer life and spiritual journey.
The Great O Antiphons
The Great Os are the antiphons used with the Magnificat at vespers or evensong on the last seven days of Advent. They are the material for the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”.
“The kataphatic way: praying with metaphor”
The kataphatic, or affirmative, way of prayer seeks to describe God, and to express what or who God is in terms of what God is like, in order to understand and come closer to God.
Guided meditation: Glimpsing Glory
A meditation on the story of Moses coming down from Mount Sinai with the skin of his face shining after talking with God; in the style of Lectio Divina; for use in groups.
“Pray the Collects and write your own”
Constraints can be a vital source of creativity. They force us to think and release our imaginations. The form of the Collect is a way to collect our intentions in prayer and arrange them.
A Booklet of Randomised Psalms
For those who want to pray with the Psalms, but find reading them 1,2,3… a bit of a plod, and/or are mystified by the Common Worship Lectionary cycle.
Guided meditation: The Call to Extraordinariness
A guided reflection on the story of four friends lowering a paralysed man through the roof to Jesus; in the style of Ignatian meditation.
“Praying the Daily Office and the Psalms”
The Church’s pattern of prayer today is a simplification of the eight-fold monastic daily office associated with Psalm 119 v164 “Seven times a day I praise you” and v62 “At midnight I rise to give you thanks”.
Guided meditation: An Ordinary Kingdom
A guided reflection on the parable of the treasure hidden in the field, in different tellings.
Greenbelt ponderings
I got Greenbelt wrong this year. Not totally – in many ways it was wonderful – but enough to make me wonder: What might I do differently?
“Praying with the Bible – Ignatian meditation”
Praying with the imagination can be helpful if you have spent time in study and want to deepen your encounter with scripture, or if you struggle with the Bible’s content and want a different way in.
On writing guided meditations: open questions
In therapy, the reflective question “How do you feel about that?” has become a cliché. But there are reasons for that: it is open-ended while not being leading.
Guided meditation: An Everyday God
An imaginative meditation on God as potter; using the approach of Anthony de Mello in Sadhana; for use in groups.
“Praying with the Bible – Lectio Divina”
Regular Bible reading and study gives us breadth of knowledge. Lectio Divina helps us also absorb Scripture at depth.
Guided meditation: Unsung heroes
A meditation on the story of the feeding of the five thousand in John’s Gospel; in the style of Lectio Divina; for use in groups.
Providing hospitality, receiving hospitality, sharing space
The story of Mary and Martha is a well-worn sermon topic. What might I have said if I had been on preaching duty last Sunday evening?
“If only”, an imaginative meditation
An invitation into encounter, through a guided meditation on the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5.
“If only”, a creative reflection
Everything is started by a simple “if only” by a young girl. The girl is not named. But she does still have a story – everyone has a story.
“Embodied prayer”
Engaging our body in prayer – praying with the whole person – deepens our attentiveness and enables different intentions in prayer.
Guided meditation: On turning aside
A meditation on turning aside to the miracle of the burning bush; in the style of Ignatian meditation; for use in groups.
“Prayer which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes”
Can we come close to seeing and scenting a spray of the lily of the valley as God might see it? Hearing the chatter of a treeful of sparrows as God might hear them?
Guided meditation: SMILE
Saturday’s Prayerdle was SMILE, which brought a smile to a friend’s face. So I thought I would write and offer this short meditation.
“Pilgrimage: Prayer on the Way”
“Pilgrimage is an opportunity to reflect on the journey of our lives, and on our journey homewards to God.” – Devon Pilgrim guidance on the St Boniface Way
Slow Book Group: Maggie Ross, Writing the Icon of the Heart
Some notes on running a group reading Maggie Ross, Writing the Icon of the Heart together. Through slow reading, pondering, and sharing our responses and insights, we sought to discern how the Spirit is calling us to deepen our faith and prayer.
“Praying with a prayer-phrase: Maranatha and the Psalms”
Repeating a short phrase over and over can be a helpful way of holding the surface mind’s attention while the soul encounters God in the depths.
A Month of Psalms
A booklet of psalms that can be recited day by day each month, set to simple psalm chants.
“Compline: A contemplative journey through Lent” in St Olave’s Church
The ancient close-of-the-day service of Compline, with plainchant and polyphony. Hosted by Margaret Aagesen Hughes (Soprano) and Clare Bryden (Alto). Featuring the music of Barber, Bach and Pergolesi, and musicians Ruth Molins (Flute), Emma Welton (Violin), John Draisey (organ).
“Distractions in Prayer”
When we enter our prayer time, it is probably not long before we get distracted. But there are preparations we can make and tactics we can employ.
15 minutes of flame
This week I’ve been doing a tiny bit of press for Prayerdle
Lunar reflections
During February, while the Cathedral is hosting the Museum of the Moon, what might I have preached in the face of this reminder of my finitude?
“Centring Prayer and the Sacred Word”
We often find our attention wandering in prayer, but over the centuries, people well-versed in the practice have developed techniques that can help us.
He sat down
How sitting down among the people was a symbolic or sacramental action that made the Incarnation real.
Let us Prayerdle
On Monday I jumped fully onto the Wordle bandwagon and developed Prayerdle
Praying with Prayerdle
Prayerdle, an off-shoot of Wordle that can help you pray as you go through your day.
“Forming habits of prayer”
How can we make sure we make time for God? Form a habit and find a bridge.
Awareness walks
Set off alone and start walking. Find your own space and breathe deeply. Be aware of your own body. Feel your limbs and the ground under your feet.
“Waiting on God”
It is hard going against the flow of today’s culture, and waiting for anything. So it might be helpful to think in terms of waiting on God.
Considering the body
I don’t necessarily articulate in my mind my understanding of an action as my body performs it during the liturgy. I allow that physical action to be my expression of intention and my offering.
“Explore Prayer” for Exeter Cathedral news
You are infinitely loved by God, and God is waiting and longing to be with you. Prayer is simply the expression of our relationship with God.
The gift of the blue bottle
It is prayer hour in the convent chapel on a sunny summer morning. Dust motes swirl idly in the sun’s rays streaming through the high windows. The chapel is still, apart from a solitary blue bottle.
“Someone”, an imaginative meditation
An invitation into encounter, through a guided meditation on the vignette in Matthew 12.46-50.
“Someone”, a creative reflection
Anyone is invited to share in Jesus’ most intimate relationship: his relationship with his “Father in heaven”. Everyone may be a Someone.
Slow Book Group: The Cloud of Unknowing
Some notes on running a group reading The Cloud together. Through it, we hoped to gain a deeper understanding of prayer and through that to deepen our own prayer lives and relationships with God.
Seeing and believing and living
Another in my very irregular series of ‘were I to have preached’… What happens when we look at the two stories of Mary Magdalene at the tomb and Doubting Thomas together?
#DIYLent #poetry #light #prayer
In this year of quarantine, I have been observing a DIY Lent. I thought it would be wonderful to get together (via Zoom of course) with one or two different friends each week. Both of us bring a poem, or piece of poetic prose, or art, or music to share and reflect on.
Life is like a box of tesserae
There is a bi-i-ig difference between jigsaws and mosaics. Jigsaws have only one correct solution. Mosaic tiles can be pieced together in many different ways…
Psalmathon
St Peter’s day on 29 June 2020, Exeter Cathedral held a Psalmathon – reading all 150 Psalms in about 8 hours.
Lectio Divina on Zoom
Initially a step into the unknown, group Lectio Divina over Zoom has proved to work extremely well; its very structured format holds open a space for deep encounters with both God and each other.
Where prayer is valid
During the days between Ascension and Pentecost, I found myself ruminating about Exeter Cathedral as building and people, prompted by the lack of access to church buildings during lockdown.
Explore Prayer
I have been writing some material about prayer for the Cathedral website, in hope that it will help visitors deepen their relationship with God and draw them closer to the community of praying people in the Cathedral.
A Christmas message
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, with love and hope for 2020.
Thy Kingdom Come 2019
Thy Kingdom Come is a global wave of prayer uniting Christians around the world during the days from Ascension Day to Pentecost. From 30 May to 9 June 2019, Exeter Cathedral is hosting a special prayer room in the Grandisson Chapel tucked into the West Front. Based on the parable of the hidden treasure, I’ve set up a small installation with a small action to help people pray.
“Springs in the Desert” for ViaMedia.News
O wilderness God, I do not ask to avoid the journey and the struggle. Only help me to trust that you are always beside me holding my hand fast in yours, even when all seems dark and dry, and that you will lead me to a place of refreshment, and blessing at the end. Amen.
“Compline: A contemplative journey through Lent” in St Martin’s Church
The ancient close-of-the-day service of Compline, with plainchant and polyphony. Hosted by Margaret Aagesen Hughes (Soprano) and Clare Bryden (Alto). Featuring the music of Bach, Barber and Saint-Saëns, and musicians Ruth Molins, Sophie Brewer (Flute), Emma Welton (Violin), Catherine Bradley (Cello).
Workshop on “Slow Bible Reading”
I led this workshop on the ancient monastic practice of Lectio Divina, as part of a Prayer & Spirituality Day at Exeter Cathedral.
Unnamed and unnoticed
This morning in the Cathedral, I got out the mental glasses or hearing aids that I often use while following the readings: I looked and listened for the unnamed and unnoticed characters. My reflections here could be the second in what might turn into a series on ‘were I to have preached’.
Who said it first?
Sometimes during the sermon slot, I catch myself thinking about what I might have said if I were up there in that pulpit. This time it would have been about women raising their voices.
A prayer story
There are as many different understandings and types of prayer as there are different people. Here are mine.
Action in a World of Contemplation *
Greenbelt is a festival of arts, faith and justice, held over the August Bank Holiday. The programme is huge, so to help me manage it I often choose a theme. This year I didn’t, consciously at any rate, but it became apparent as the weekend unfolded that I’d ringed quite a lot of talks relating to contemplation and action.
Sign of the Nazarene
Many of my Facebook friends have changed their profile picture to the Arabic letter N. It stands for ‘Nazarene’, or Christian. ISIS is drawing it on the houses of Christians in Iraq, to indicate who to target.
Great expectations
Expectation can be good; having high expectations of students can lead them to do better. People in general tend to live up to or down to expectations. The problem is when the expectations are unrealistic.
Inside and outside the Cathedral
What it means to be the people of God, and the Occupy camp on Exeter Cathedral Green.
Reading to know we are not alone, part 2
The monastic practice of lectio divina allows us to open ourselves to God’s word. It can be loosely translated as ‘spiritual reading’, but does not just involve reading.
Talking about “Prayer”
This evening, I’ve been asked to talk about Prayer, I suppose because I have a practice of contemplative prayer and am about to go and live alongside a monastic community. Trouble is, how do I express the inexpressible? Here is roughly what I want to say.