Praying the Sunday Mass Readings with St Beuno’s Outreach

St Beuno’s Outreach is based in St Beuno’s Jesuit Spirituality Centre in the hills of North Wales, in the Diocese of Wrexham. The Outreach began in 1989, with the idea of helping people develop and maintain a personal relationship with God through Christ by praying the Word of God in the Sunday liturgy. From a prayerful awareness of the Spirit working in and through us will come a sense of mission, a desire to join Christ in his mission.

How to pray with Scripture - from St Beuno's Outreach
It is usually most helpful when entering into a formal period of prayer to spend some time quietening down and centring on God. The following indications, known as “Anchor Points” have been found to provide a good framework for your prayer. Particularly important after coming to some inner quiet is the slow entry and slow exit from prayer.

FOUR ANCHOR POINTS

  1. PREPARATION

Choose your place of prayer. Make yourself comfortable, you may like to light a candle. Get in touch with your feelings: What is my frame of mind? What do I want to say to the Lord; what do I desire?

  1. ENTRY INTO PRAYER

Become quiet and still. Relax. Try to put aside any distractions. Choose a passage of scripture. Make the sign of the cross, visibly or in your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer. Read your chosen text slowly several times. Notice what comforts or disturbs you.

  1. SLOW EXIT FROM PRAYER

Speak to the Lord in your own words about this time of prayer, what has it meant to you. Perhaps finish with the Glory be to the Father or a favourite prayer of your own. Make a sign of the cross, internal or external. Leave your place of prayer, thanking God for the time he has spent with you.

  1. REFLECTION AFTER PRAYER

Ask for whatever grace you need to respond to our Lord, “with my whole heart, my whole soul, my whole mind”. If possible, do this in a different place. Recall the prayer period: Was it good to be at prayer?  Did you learn something; maybe feel that the Lord was asking something of you? Notice how you are feeling now. You may find it helpful to jot down your thoughts in a notebook.

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, 18th October 2026

‘Render to God the things that are God’s’

Our readings today leave us in no doubt that, as the Creator of all, there is only one God, who rules over everything on earth.

In the First Reading we hear Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the pagan king, Cyrus, who, with God’s help, will conquer nations, return the Jewish people to their homeland, and restore the greatness of Jerusalem. Through his actions, people around the whole world will know that God is Lord of all nations.

The Psalm invites us to sing of the power and glory of God. As in the First Reading, we are exhorted to tell others that the Lord is king, praising him above all else.

St Paul (Second Reading) writes to the developing Christian community in Thessalonica. He reminds them – and us – that we are chosen and loved by God. We know God not just through words, but also by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In the Gospel we see Jesus neatly avoiding the trap set for him by those who seek to discredit him. Pointing out Caesar’s image on a coin, he tells them, ‘Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’

In the week ahead, we pray for all those who are in positions of leadership around the world. We ask that God will steer and guide them to seek justice and fairness for all people.

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