The Feast of St Lawrence | Thursday 10 August 2023

Today is Thursday the 10th of August, the feast of St Lawrence, in the 18th week of Ordinary time.

The Community of Taizé sing Christe Lux Mundi: ‘O Christ, light of the world, whoever follows you will have the light of life.’

Christe, lux mundi,
qui sequitur te,
habebit lumen vitae,
lumen vitae




Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.

John 12:24-26

Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.

A difficult teaching from Jesus today. Take a moment to notice what struck you…What are you drawn to? Is anything causing you friction at all? Hold it all out to Jesus now…


‘Death’, ‘fruit’, ‘love’ and ‘hate’…these words all take a surprising role in what Jesus is saying about following him… St Ignatius Loyola speaks of “indifference”, a kind of holy detachment from the temporary things of this world. Where might you need to loosen your grip today, so that your love of the Lord can come into fullness?

As you listen again, where do you feel drawn to encouragement in this short passage?

‘Whoever serves me, the Father will honour’. Can you find encouragement in these words? Speak with the Lord about this and anything else that has arisen for you in today’s prayer time.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.