Lenten Meditations: Saturday 10 March

Mar 10, 2018 by Jill

SATURDAY OF LENT III – Saint Kessog, Bishop and Martyr, 560

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Born in Cashel, Ulster, Ireland; died c. 560. Son of the king of Cashel Saint Kessog left Ireland to evangelize Scotland, where he was consecrated a missionary bishop. Using Monks’ Island in Loch Lomond as his headquarters, he evangelized the surrounding area until he was martyred by brigands or mercenaries. Perhaps paid by pagans due to his being a successful missionary in the area and that he was killed on the druid’s new year (March 25th) near an ancient druid site. Thereafter, many miracles were ascribed to Kessog, who is the patron of Lennox. A celebrated Scottish church still bears the title of St. Kessoge-Kirk. For a long time the Scots used his name for their cry in battle, but later changed it for that of Saint Andrew.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY:  While this story from the Irish Lectionary is not necessarily a Lenten lesson it does reflects some themes that we often do grapple with in Lent namely the pain of loss (which in this case is from verses which deal with the death of Aaron). No matter how faithful we are or how old we get the reality of having to take leave with those whom we love and respect is excruciating. Such pain is not a lack of faith in God’s providence just the pain of loss here and now! When there is a death that is a leave-taking, a move is a leave taking. They happen all the time but it does not make it easy for us. Our response is typically that we pour out and reveal all that is in our breaking hearts, to others but also to God. Not because he doesn’t know but because the Lord hears the cry of the poor. Those who are poor now because of loss. The poverty is a lack and the lack is an ache that only God can heal. Of course, we find at the same time we cry out that we cannot ever fully express that which we want to say.

This story reminds us how hard it is to accept the passing of such people in our lives. Imagine what it was like for a whole nation as they “went up to Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation” ( Numbers 20:27), the midrash interprets that all the people saw Moses, Aaron, and Elazar ascend the mountain, but “if they had known that he was ascending to die, they would not have permitted him to go, but would have prayed for mercy for him. They thought, however, that perhaps G‑d was calling those three.” Afterwards, when “all the congregation saw that Aaron had died” Those moments are the moments we are at our most vulnerable and it is in those moments that we are called to trust God the most.

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  Lord, guide us in your gentle mercy, for left to ourselves
we cannot see your will. Grant that this day we may live faithfully to your Holy Word and in any good that we do give Glory to your Father. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Lenten Discipline   Consider paying mind to today in your life time prayer and discussion to those who have gone before you in faith. Share the legacy of love, faith, family or friendship that they gave you. Do something in a public act to show your remembrance of them.

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “The plant was uprooted from here, but planted in paradise . From the earthly kingdom they are transferred to the heavenly kingdom. You see what was exchanged for what. Are you sad because you no longer see the beauty of the face of your beloved? But this happens, because you do not see the real beauty of the soul with which he rejoices in the heavenly feast. How beautiful indeed is the eye that sees God! How sweet indeed is the mouth that is adorned with divine melodies! “

–St. Gregory of Nyssa from A Homily of Consolation Concerning Pulcheria

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