A Moment to Pause - a short daily audio reflection rooted in Sacred Scripture

Today is Monday, 4th May and this morning’s Oblate podcast is on the Scripture text of Acts 7:58: Lord Jesus receive my spirit. 
Good morning. We begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 
Today is the feast of the English Martyrs. Not very far from our Oblate Parish at Tower Hill is located a little enclosure near the Tower of London which holds a little memorial plaque wiith St. Thomas More, St. John Fisher. The spot of their martyrdom.Lord, we thank you for the deep faith of our Martyrs. We equally remember our Oblate Martyrs of Pozuelo, Spain, Laos and elsewhere. 
Today’s 1st Reading focuses on the stoning of Stephen by Saul, later to be known as St. Paul after his conversion. Stephen cried out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’.  
We think of people in difficult war torn and violent conflicts who call out loudly today: ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’.  
We think of countries like Tanzania whose natural resources like gold are being robbed openly by greedy Corporates based in powerful countries like UAE, America, Israel and our own. They too pray: ‘Lord Jesus, receive our spirits’. 
We think of those in deep despair due to heavy debt, living with a life threatening illness or even accepting complex dimensions in their given sexuality as they feel hopeless, and sometimes consider suicidal thoughts. We listen to their voice as they whisper: ‘Lord Jesus, receive our spirits’.  
So, Lord Jesus, we ask you to receive our spirit as we surrender this day to You. Amen.    

We join Pat Hughes for this morning’s short audio reflection during Eastertide.
Sunday 3rd May Gospel Reading John 14:1-12Good morning. I would ask you now to close your eyes and say “Welcome, Jesus to be with me this day. “Over the last few days we have explored and prayed this Gospel reading of John 14:1-12.  It is part of the Farewell Discourse at the Last Supper where Jesus explains his relationship to the Father and promises that those who believe in Him will do the works that He has done if they but model Him and remember He is the Way, the truth and the life.Jesus begins by saying “Do not let your hearts be troubled”. In these days of seemingly endless worries about the world it is difficult to not let our hearts be troubled. If we think back to what the disciples were about to face… Jesus’ passion, death and seeming absence as the disciples fled  Jerusalem, it would seem we have learnt nothing.We  have only to remember that Jesus kept his promise and sent the Holy Spirit , a time we will celebrate soon at Pentecost !Let us remember meantime, to model Jesus , to know and trust in Him, and the Father and the Holy Spirit. To keep Hope in our hearts and our lives and to spread the Good News.May we all have a blessed Sunday .Thank you for praying together.

We join Pat Hughes for this morning’s short audio reflection during Eastertide.
Saturday May 2nd 2026 Gospel John 14:7-14Good morning and Welcome to our moment to pause on Saturday 2nd May. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.Jesus is speaking with Philip and asked “Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? “ The passage encourages Christians to find the Divine in the face of Jesus,and thus,  knowing that He is in the Father, so God is knowable.Further along the passage Jesus promised that through faith and the Holy Spirit,  believers will do “ greater works”, to continue His mission. He also promises to answer prayers made in His name for the Father’s glory. “If you ask me for anything in my name , I will do it.”What a gift and what a responsibility to do greater works, to continue His mission.  Thank God He sent the Holy Spirit to be with us. Let us today remember the Spirit’s presence as we say together:Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit , as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be , world without end. AmenHave a blessed Saturday.And thank you for joining the Oblates today.

We join Pat Hughes for this morning’s short audio reflection during Eastertide.
Friday 1st May Gospel reading John 14:1-6Though it is the Feast of St Joseph the Worker , who is my favourite saint, I have chosen to reflect on John’s gospel reading as it is the Fourth week of Eastertide.  But the reading for St Joseph the Worker would be Matthew 13:54-58 which is about Jesus being rejected as a prophet in his own town as he was”the carpenter’s son”. This is an interesting comparison as John 14 is about Jesus’ identity as the Son of the Father and his divinity.In John’s reading Jesus speaks to his disciples, urging them not to let their hearts be troubled. Jesus says“Believe in God, believe in me .”“In my Father’s house there are many mansions”“I go to prepare a place for you.”When Thomas asks the way , Jesus famously replies “I am the Way, the truth and the life . No one comes to the Father except through me.”Jesus is the source of eternal life and true ,purposeful existence.This passage is a powerful reminder to trust in Jesus’ presence as a daily reality rather than just a ‘Sunday faith’.Thank you for being with the Oblates today and God Bless us all.

We join Pat Hughes for this morning’s short audio reflection during Eastertide.
Thursday 30 April 26 Gospel reading John 13:16-20Good morning . Let us bless ourselves this Thursday with the sign of the cross: in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit . Amen.My main take from this passage is Christ’s unconditional love.The passage comes just after the washing of all the disciples’ feet, and so includes Judas :”the man who shared my food turned against me” as said in scripture is a reference to Judas. This reminds us that the way Jesus relates to us is not determined by how we relate to him. He continues to give himself to us all even when there is something of a Judas in us. St Paul said that can nothing separate us from the love of Christ.  I would add unless it is only our own persistent refusal to receive it!“ I am telling you the truth: whoever receives anyone I send receives me also; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.” As Jesus says in our gospel reading, ‘whoever welcomes the one I send, welcomes me’. Jesus wants to come to others through each one of us. Let us go about our day with this in mind.We now bless ourselves with the sign of the Cross: in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. AmenThank you for listening .

We join Pat Hughes for this morning’s short audio reflection during Eastertide.
Wednesday 29 April 26 Gospel John12:44-50Good morning. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.There are several messages in today’s Gospel.The  first I wish to pick out is“I have come into this world as LIGHT, so that everyone who believes in me, should not remain in darkness.”This is a reference to spiritual light versus darkness and also references eternal life. Jesus also said  ” I come not to judge the world but to save it.”And lastly he said”This is true, because I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has commanded me what to speak.”These statements give me a complete sense of peace and security. If I had been present at this time in history, before Jesus’ death and resurrection, I may well have been confused but  how blessed are we to have hindsight . I pray for all listening , and trust that you will too, that our moments of doubt are just that, momentary, and do not linger!As you go through today take Jesus’ spiritual light with you and pass it on to all you see.Thank you for praying with us today. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit .

We join Pat Hughes for this morning’s short audio reflection during Eastertide.
Tuesday 28th April Gospel John10:22-30Good morning. Let us make the sign of the Cross . In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.“Are you the Messiah?” was the question in this passage that caused Jesus to respond “I have told you but you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name are my witness, but you do not believe, because you are no sheep of mine.”  This is an invitation to move beyond demanding miracles and to trust in Jesus’ ongoing presence and care with the focus of the profound gift of eternal life! “NO-one can take them away from the Father’s care.” Says Jesus.And then Jesus claims his divinity by stating : “ My Father and I are one”I wonder how long Jesus had waited to say that out loud and so emphatically. I think he would have breathed a sigh of relief even though underlying the statement would have been his full knowledge of his mortal death. We give thanks for His Resurrection.Let us show our Joy  and Thanks this Eastertide.Let us prayGlory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning is now and ever will be.In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit .Amen.Thank you for praying with and for the Oblates today.

We join Pat Hughes for this morning’s short audio reflection on this Monday, 27th April.
Good morning and welcome to a Moment  to Pause on thisMonday 27April 2026  where we reflect on a passage from John’s Gospel 10:12-18In the name of The Father and the Son and the Holy SpiritThe encompassing sentence for me is “I am the Good Shepherd and I know mine , and mine know me. “ Jesus holds the authority to willingly lay down his life and to take it up again. This passage also refers  to ‘other sheep not of this fold’ highlighting the mission to extend to all peoplesBut I want to concentrate on the statement ‘I know mine and mine know me’. Sheep like to be led; they know their shepherd’s voice and they listen and follow . They can distinguish their shepherd’s voice from a hired hand! We are Jesus’s followers  and this passage provides us with deep assurance and comfort showing us that we are loved by a shepherd who knows us individually and who  is fully committed, even to willingly lay down his life for us .On our part all we have to do is listen, follow and love as willingly as Jesus !Let us bless ourselves: In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.Thank you for joining in today.

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We join Fr Udara OMI for this morning’s short audio reflection on this Saturday, 25th April.
Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters.Let us begin this day with the Word of God, through which we can be sustained, strengthened, and guided.In Mark chapter 16, verses 15 to 20, Jesus sends his followers out into the world, asking them to share the good news.It's a big mission, but notice something important.He doesn't send them alone. He promises to work with them to confirm their efforts to be present in every step they take.As you hear this, think gently about your own life. Where is God inviting you to step forward?Where might you be called to bring hope, kindness, or truth?This mission isn't only for the bold or the confident.It's for the ordinary, the unsure, the ones who feel small.It is for anyone willing to let God work through them.So ask yourself quietly, what simple act of love or courage is God asking of me today?Where can I be a sign of his presence?As you move into the rest of your day, hold on to this truth.You are not sent alone.Christ goes with you, strengthened you, and works through you even in the smallest and simplest moments.Let us pray.Lord Jesus, you send your followers into the world with courage and hope and your promiseto be with them in every step they take.Today I ask you to send me too, not too far, but into the ordinary moments of my life.Give me a heart that listens for your nudges.Even to notice those who need kindness and courage to speak or to act, love is needed.Remind me that I don't go alone. That you work through my small efforts.By quiet words, by simple acts of care. Strengthen my faith when I feel unsure. Steady my spirit when I feel overwhelmed. And help me trustthat your presence goes before me. And stays with me.Lord, let my life reflect your good news today in gentleness and compassion, in truth.Use me in whatever way you choose and keep me close to you as I go.Amen.Thank you. May God bless you.
#dailyreadings #scripture #gospel #bible #catholic #prayer #jesus #miracle #eucharist #disciples #resurrection #podcast #manna #breadoflife #disciples #retreat #peace #hope #goodnews

We join Fr Udara OMI for this morning’s short audio reflection on this Friday, 24th April.
Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters.Let us begin this beautiful day with God's love.Let's take a comfortable posture.In John chapter six, verses 52 to 59,Jesus speaks words that are challenging and intimate.He tells the crowd that his flesh is truefood, and his blood is true drink.An invitation not just to believe in him,but to receive his very life within us.As you hear these words, think differently about your own life.That you need real nourishment right now.Where do you feel tired, empty, or stretched thin?Jesus offers more than comfort.He offers himself a steady presencewhen you feel uncertain.Strengthen when you feel weak.Life when something inside you feels worn down.So ask yourself quietly.Where do I need his life to take root in my life today?Where do I need to let his love become my strength?As you move forward, hold on to this simple truth.Jesus desires to dwell within you, to nourish you, sustain you,and bring you to life from the inside out.Thank you. May God bless you.
#dailyreadings #scripture #gospel #bible #catholic #prayer #jesus #miracle #eucharist #disciples #resurrection #podcast #manna #breadoflife