Meditations and Reflections

Meditations by Brother Matthew

Questions on the Bible and the Christian Faith

Portraits of some witnesses to Christ

Short Writings from Taizé

Annual message

Advent Meditations

Every Sunday in Advent, a short meditation will be given during the morning celebration in the Church of Reconciliation in Taizé. The text and video will be published on this page. First Advent Sunday | Meditation by brother Matthew Luke 21:25-28.34-36 We are once again at the beginning of the season of Advent, which invites us to prepare for the feast of the birth of Jesus. But this (...)

9 December

Commented Bible Passages

These Bible meditations are meant as a way of seeking God in silence and prayer in the midst of our daily life. During the course of a day, take a moment to read the Bible passage with the short commentary and to reflect on the questions which follow. Afterwards, a small group of 3 to 10 people can meet to share what they have discovered and perhaps for a time of (...)

1 December

Homily by the Archbishop of York

The Anglican Archbishop of York, the Right Reverend Dr Stephen Cottrell, Primate of England, visited Taizé from 23 to 25 August to join a group of young people from his province who had been attending the meetings for a week. Here is the meditation on the Gospel of John 6.60-69 that he gave during the celebration of the Eucharist on Sunday 25 August 2024. ‘From this time, many of his disciples (...)

1 September

Advent Meditations 2023

Fourth Advent Sunday | Meditation by Brother David"Rejoice! The Lord is with you". One day, Mary welcomed these words as a message from God to her through the angel Gabriel. The young woman was troubled by this greeting. But before questioning the angel, she kept silent, reflecting, wondering in her heart what it could mean. Gabriel says to her: "Do not be afraid". Then he explains to her (...)

24 December 2023

A Way of the Gospel at St Stephen’s Source

In spring 2015, icons made from tree bark were placed on the path down to St Stephen’s Source, the place set aside for silent meditation in Taizé. These icons were prepared in the worshop of the brothers then living in Nairobi by Brother Denis, who died that year. Brother Denis’ work was also the subject of an exhibtion in Taizé, "From Scrap to Art". This "Way of the Gospel", was inaugurated (...)

30 November 2015

“A very simple reality”

When we open the Gospel, each of us can say, “These words of Jesus are rather like a very ancient letter written in an unknown language. But since it is written to me by someone who loves me, I am going to try to understand its meaning, and to put into practice right away the little I have grasped.”… Extensive knowledge is not important at the outset. In time that will be of great value. But it is through the heart, in the depths of themselves, that human beings begin to grasp the Mystery of (...)

10 September 2003