Lenten Meditations: Friday 6 March
Psalm: am: 40, 54 pm: 51
Old Testament: Gen 40:1-23
Epistle: 1 Cor 3:16-23
Gospel: Mark 2:13-22
FRIDAY- Martyrs of Amorion in Phrygia ( 845)
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: They were taken captive when Amorion in Phrygia fell to the Muslims in 838, during the reign of Emperor Theophilus. Many of them were officers, and because of their status and reputation, their captors, rather than kill them, attempted to convert them to Islam. The forty-two were kept in a miserable dungeon in Syria, where they were alternately promised the highest honors and privileges if they would convert and threatened with the most horrible consequences if they refused. This continued for seven full years, but none would deny his faith in Christ. Finally, unable to shake their faith, their captors beheaded them all in 845.
MEDITATION OF THE DAY: On Fridays in Lent we are reminded of the reality that Lent is a time for introspection and deep knowing. It is not a time for negativity and a sense of helplessness as some would like to portray . It is simply a time of honest reflection and one of the traditional biblical passages that assist with that is the Psalm appointed for today, Psalm 51. Here the Psalmist, realizes very quickly that there is nothing we can do to cleanse ourselves. We are incapable of doing anything to eradicate our sinful way except to rely on God’s mercy and grace to renew the Holy Spirit within us. God not only restores, he re-creates. Only God can create something out of nothing. When we are in our sin, our spirits are wrong — undeniably wrong, and in our view irreparably wrong. Yet God gives us a renewed spirit, a right(eous) spirit. As we journey in Lent let us be mindful that How we declare the praises of our God and how we sing when we worship is a dogged reflection of how we view God’s mercy and deliverance.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE : “During the course of the day, recollect as often as you can that you stand in the presence of God. Consider what He does and what you are doing. You will find His eyes turned towards you and perpetually fixed on you with an incomparable love.– St. Francis de Sales.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Almighty God, give me the grace from thinking of myself more highly than I ought to think, and help me to be ready at all times to serve others,so that that the cause of Christ may be advanced; through my humble service. I ask this in the name of the one who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
LENTEN DISCIPLINE – Individually, or with other followers get a map of your local area. Mark on the map all the visible signs of Christian presence and witness you can think of – churches, places where posters and notices are put up, parish schools, memorials, cemeteries, charity shops etc. If there are any areas where Christian presence is lacking, find out why. Ponder at your parish church what might be the most appropriate and sensitive way to make Christ known in this Season of Lent.
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