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

Good morning and welcome, and thank you for joining us for our morning prayer with the Oblate Family. Today we join Rob Doherty in London.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.Today’s Gospel is from Matthew Chapter 18, verse 21 and Chapter 19 verse 1'How often must I forgive my brother?'Here, Peter asks Jesus a question many of us have asked: "How often must I forgive?" Surely there must be a limit.But Jesus' answer is surprising. He tells Peter to forgive not just seven times, but "seventy-seven times." He isn't asking us to keep count. He is reminding us that forgiveness should become a way of life.Jesus then tells the story of a servant who was forgiven an enormous debt but refused to forgive someone who owed him very little. The message is clear: we have received so much mercy from God, so we are called to show that same mercy to others.Forgiveness isn't always easy. It doesn't mean pretending we haven't been hurt. But it does mean refusing to let anger and resentment take hold of our hearts. When we forgive, we begin to experience the freedom and peace that God wants for us. Lord Jesus,you never stop forgiving us.  Help us to show the same mercy to others.When forgiveness is difficult, give us the strength to let go of resentmentand the grace to love as you love.  May our hearts reflect your mercy each day.Amen.In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy SpiritAmenThank you for joining us today.#catholic #goodnews #podcast

Good morning and welcome, and thank you for joining us for our morning prayer with the Oblate Family. Today we join Rob Doherty in London.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.Today’s Gospel is from Matthew Chapter 18, verses 15-20: ‘If your brother listens to you, you have won back your brother.’ In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us how to deal with conflict. Instead of ignoring problems or speaking badly about others, he encourages us to speak to one another honestly and with love.The goal is never to win an argument or prove someone wrong. The goal is to heal a relationship. That is why Jesus says, "If your brother listens to you, you have won back your brother." The real victory is not being right—it is being reconciled.This Gospel also reminds us that we are not meant to face life's challenges alone. Jesus promises to be present whenever we gather in his name. He walks with us as we seek forgiveness, peace, and unity.Today, we might ask ourselves: Is there someone I need to forgive, or someone I need to reach out to? Even a small step towards reconciliation can open the door for Christ to bring healing. Lord Jesus,give us the courage to seek peace and the humility to forgive.Help us to heal broken relationships and to bring your love wherever there is hurt.Be with us always, and guide us in the ways of your peace.Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy SpiritAmenThank you for joining us today.#catholic #goodnews #podcast

Good morning and welcome, and thank you for joining us for our morning prayer with the Oblate Family. Today we join Rob Doherty in London.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Today’s Gospel is from Matthew Chapter 18, verses 1-5,10,12-14Jesus said to his disciples, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” ReflectionA child has little power or status, yet in today’s Gospel Jesus places a child at the centre and says that welcoming the smallest and the weakest is the same as welcoming him.This reminds us that greatness in God's Kingdom is not measured by importance or success, but by humility, kindness, and love. Every person we meet is worthy of our care and respect, especially those who are easily overlooked.Today, Jesus invites us to welcome others with the same love and compassion that he shows to us. Lord Jesus,help us to welcome others with kindness and love.Teach us to see you in the young, the weak, and the forgotten.May our words and actions reflect your gentle and welcoming heart.Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy SpiritAmen Thank you for joining us today.#catholic #goodnews #podcast

Good morning and welcome, and thank you for joining us for our morning prayer with the Oblate Family. Today we join Rob Doherty in London.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Today’s Gospel is from John Chapter 12, verses 24-26
Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.”
The world often tells us that honour comes through success, recognition, or status.  In today’s Gospel, Jesus says it comes through service.  To follow him is to love, to forgive, to be patient, and to put others before ourselves.
Most of those acts of service will never make the headlines.  They may even go unnoticed.  But Jesus reminds us that nothing done out of love is ever unseen.  The Father sees every quiet act of kindness and every faithful sacrifice, and he delights in those who follow his Son.
Let us ask ourselves today: How can I serve Christ in the people I meet?
Lord Jesus,open our eyes to see you in the people we meet today.Give us generous hearts to serve with kindness, patience, and love.May our lives reflect your example,and may all that we do bring glory to the Father.Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 
Amen.
Thank you for joining us today. #saintlaurence #feastday #catholic #goodnews #podcast

Welcome to A Moment to Pause. We join Anne Walker from the Friends Of Saint Eugene, Crewe.
Good morning. It's Sunday, the 9th of August. The 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time. The Gospel today comes from Matthew chapter 14, verses 22 to 33.Towards the end of today's Gospel, we hear that Peter doubts that he will be able to reach Jesus by walking on water. He thinks he will drown. Don't literally means two minds. Peter's mind was caught between a reliance on Jesus's judgment that he will be able to do it, and the trustworthy call from Jesus.Let us pray. Doubting people or decisions made for us by other people ruins our belief that in whatever is decided for us is in God's hands. We remind ourselves that our trust is in God alone. In God alone, we face whatever happens to us and also to our loved ones. We offer up our trust by saying,Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.Amen.

Welcome to A Moment to Pause. We join Anne Walker from the Friends Of Saint Eugene, Crewe.
Good morning. It's Saturday, the 6th of August. The Gospel this morning comes from Matthew chapter 17, verses 14 to 26.Jesus talks to us in this Gospel about faith, the importance of it in our lives. In the Gospel, the disciples query with Jesus. Why are they unable to heal a man's son? His reply to them is such an important message to us today. With faith being active in our lives, we can face whatever life presents to us. Our faith begins like a mustard seed. Jesus reaches out to us. Over time, the mustard seed grows as it grows. Our faith becomes so important to us and also to other people. I ask you a question. Where would you be without faith?Let us join together now in prayer.Lord, provide for us the faith in our hearts.Not only to help ourselves in life's journey, but also to be assigned to others.That the suffering that we all experience in life is always supported by our ever growing faith in you.Amen.

Welcome to A Moment to Pause. We join Anne Walker from the Friends Of Saint Eugene, Crewe.
Good morning. Today is Friday the 7th of August. The first Friday of the month.Today's Gospel is taken from Matthew chapter 16, verses 24 to 28.Today's Gospel gives us plenty to think about. Once again, Jesus is asking for us to follow him by following him, taking up whatever cross we have, we will have eternal life. This is what he promises us. Jesus gives us much to think about when he says, what profits a man If he gives the whole worldand loses his own soul? When our time comes, we will not be judged by our possessions, but how we have lived our lives, our behaviour, our faith, living the Oblate charism.We pray, O Lord, let us remember the people around, for whatever reason,have a difficult life. Whether it is unemployment, homelessness, depression,family difficulties, disability and illness. Give us the opportunity to use our gifts of charity. Amen.

Welcome to A Moment to Pause. We join Anne Walker from the Friends Of Saint Eugene, Crewe.
Good morning. It's Thursday, the 6th of August.The feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord.The Gospel today comes from Matthew chapter 17 1 to 9.Jesus takes Peter, James, and John upper mountain. He was transfigured in front of them. And there they saw either side of him, Moses and Elijah. Peter immediately says to Jesus.This is good. Let me build tents for the three of you.Now, tents or temples are not just to resemble God's glory. There are many shrines built over the holy sites. But what makes the site holy is not the building itself, but the faith of the believers, the community of the people who have gathered there.Let us pray.Lord, we praise you wherever you are, whether it be at our parish church or a holy place. Let us worship you and givethanks for you, for your presence.Amen.

Welcome to A Moment to Pause. We join Anne Walker from the Friends Of Saint Eugene, Crewe.
Good morning. It's Wednesday, the 5th of August.Today's Gospel comes from Matthew chapter 15, verses 21 to 28.The woman who approaches Jesus is a Canaanite. There were tensions between Canaanitesand the Israelites. She asks Jesus to heal her daughter, who was possessed by demons.She addresses Jesus by saying, oh Lord, son of David. His disciples plead with him to send them away.Once again, she pleads with Jesus. She shows understanding of what Jesus has said to her by saying,even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master's table. Her daughter was healed.This Gospel is an example of how Jesus transcends ethnic boundaries and rewards faith.Let us pause and pray.O Lord, guide us to acknowledge or the other faiths. Make peace where there is division. Bring peace where there is friction. Amen.

Welcome to A Moment to Pause. We join Anne Walker from the Friends Of Saint Eugene, Crewe.
Good morning. It's Tuesday, the 4th of August, the feast day of Saint John Vianney.Today's Gospel is according to Matthew, chapter 15, verses 10 to 14. In today's Gospel, the Pharisees and scribes challenged Jesus by asking him, why does his disciples break the tradition of the elders?He tells them that it is not what goes into their mouths that is the problem, but what comes out of their mouths in speech. Jesus's message is still so important to us. We may hear or see something that we don't agree with before we respond to whatever we hear or see. We should pause and think of what we are going to say. People will not judge what you have heard or seen. They will judge what you say and so will God.Let us pray.We ask the Holy Spirit to enhance the gifts we were given at our confirmation to use them when we react to words or situations. Let them be a reflection of our faith.Amen.