Lenten Meditations: Monday 3 April
| Mon April 3 |
am: 31 pm: 35 |
Jere 24:1-10 | Rom 9:19-33 | John 9:1-17 |
MONDAY OF LENT V – St. Vulpian, Martyr, 304
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Today we remember, the Syrian martyr Vulpian executed at Tyre, Lebanon, during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian (n 284-305). Tradition has it that he was sewn into a leather sack with a snake and a dog and hurled into the sea.
MEDITATION OF THE DAY: Jeremiah in this passage get another lesson from the Lord God. In this account, God compares the people who have been uprooted and exiled from their homes as good ripe figs. God says that those people are people that God will care for, strengthen, and return their homes to them. The others, the bad figs….well, a bright future doesn’t seem to be theirs. We know the future is not bright as this lesson marks the beginning of the exile.
The fig tree imagery is not new to us in the church as it continues to be a symbol for Israel. The tree and its fruits seems to always be faced with an ultimatum for fruitfulness and in this case (as in our own this Lent) that is highlighted by the call to bear good fruit which is expressed in repentance. In this passage, God’s intention going forward is clear “You will be my people, and I will be their God, for you will return to me with all their heart. The question for us this Lent is have we made that full return yet this Lenten Season?
PRAYER OF THE DAY: O Lord Jesus, Your endless grace and mercy flows forth. Before granting absolution, you demanded a sacrificial metanoia. For a wrongful act, cannot be rectified until penance has been accepted! Lord, for the salvation of my soul, you accepted the price of the Cross! Grant me the grace to do the same in my Lenten Journey. Amen.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: After the sin comes the shame; courage follows repentance. Did you pay attention to what I said? Satan upsets the order; he gives the courage to sin and the shame to repentance. – Saint John Chrysostom
Lenten Discipline- As the theme for this day addresses the idea of repentance and renewal it would serve as a good day to undertake an examination of conscience. Go to this link to undertake this simple examen http://anglicanchurchmenorca.com/the-jesuit-examination-of-conscience
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