Lenten Meditations: Saturday 8 April

Apr 8, 2017 by

Sat
April 8		 am: 137, 144
pm: 42, 43		 Jere 31:27-34 Rom 11:23-36 John 11:28-44 or 12:37-50

 

FIFTH SATURDAY OF LENT  – Agavos, Rouphos, Asynkritos, Phlegon, Herodion, & Hermes of the 70 Apostles, 1st Cent
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: In these days when we recall the ancient customs of fasting and almsgiving, the orthodox calendar calls to mind the memorial of some of the earliest witness of the faith. The memorial of these Godly souls reminds that we do indeed stand in the line of a great could of witnesses that we are called to be as well.  The Apostle Herodion, St Paul mentions in his Epistle to the Romans (16:11) and calls his “kinsman”, was ordained Presbyter and then Bishop of New Patras, where he was slain by Jews and pagans. St Agavos is mentioned in Acts 21:10-11, where he prophesied St Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem at the hands of the Jewish leaders. In Acts 11:27-28 it is mentioned also that this Saint foretold the great famine that would happen in the time of Claudius Caesar. Having preached the Gospel throughout various regions, he departed to the Lord. The Apostle Rouphos became Bishop of Thebes in Greece. The Apostles Asynkritos and Phlegon preached Christ in many places, suffered many afflictions at the hands of the pagans and Jews, and departed unto the Lord. The Apostle Hermes is mentioned with them in the Epistle to the Romans (16:13-14).

MEDITATION OF THE DAY – When one considers the words from Roman for today you have to admit that the first verse is stunning. St. Paul is saying that we should not make judgments for God, He can handle it himself and because he is the God of all creation he can re-graft broken-off branches back into the tree. The Lord is able to do marvelous things in our eyes. As we approach Holy Week, we must anticipate that God can do great things through Jesus—by brining all to Christ. People of faith as this Lenten Season winds down should not think that all those who are resistant are hardened for all time, for the Lord is able to do a miracle and bring them into the fold. The season of Lent is now ending and we have heard the warnings about falling away from grace repeatedly Today would be a good day to consider how we might best respond to these warnings. If we take them seriously and seek the Lord’s face, it could be quite an Easter.

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world?”  — C.S. Lewis

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  God of Love, through this Lenten journey, purify my desires to serve you. Free me from any temptations to flee from your Word. Please let me surrender time and space so I may be molded and fashioned into your image.  Amen.

Lenten Discipline – Contact Voice of the Martyrs (http://www.persecution.com ) and participate in a letter writing campaign this Lent.  What will that do?

  1. Of encouragement to those who are ‘doing time’ for Christ in distant prisons
  2. Of support to those who face hardship and heartbreak because of the incarceration of loved ones.
  3. Of protest to those who can influence (governments & local/national media)

 

 

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