Lenten Meditations: Thursday 26 March
| Thu Mar 26 |
am 69 pm: 73 |
Exodus 1:6-22 | 1 Cor 12:12-26 | Mark 8:27-9:1 |
FOURTH THURSDAY OF LENT – St. Macartan of Clogher, Bishop and Missionary, 505
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: This Irish Saint was an early disciple and companion of Saint Patrick during the latter’s missions into pagan territory. He is said to have been consecrated bishop of Clogher in Tyrone by Patrick in 454. It is said the Saint Brigid, Macartan’s niece, was present at the founding of the see. Tradition names Macartan as the “strong man” of Saint Patrick, who established the church in Clogher and spread the Gospel in Tyrone and Fermanagh.
Macartin is also one of the earliest Irish saints to be known as a miracle-worker. His holiness is revealed not so much by any “vita,” which are non-existent, but by the high veneration in which he is held. Saint Bede records that the earth was taken from his grave as holy relics. His Office is the only one to survive from an Irish source
MEDITATION OF THE DAY: This passage from the Gospel is well familiar to us. Of course, 200 years later when we read this story, we should grasp that Jesus makes this question personal to each of us as he says ….“But who do you say that I am?” How do we answer this question? What is Jesus to our lives? Who is Jesus to us in heart mind body and soul? As we continue this Lenten journey, we need to consider how we answer this question as we look at how the disciples of Jesus answered this question. Peter answers that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus is the anointed one. Jesus is the promised Savior from the line of David. Of course, we can agree with that, but we also have the benefit of the teaching tradition of the church . A pause is important because, too often we want to create Jesus in our image. We want to make Jesus as the idol who does as we see fit. For some it is a Jesus who supports our ethical, political theological or cultural views, that we seek and declare. This Lent lets really examine if we have tried to make Jesus be what we want him to be in our lives.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “The Word through whom all things were made is now the Word through whom all things are remade.’—N.T. Wright
PRAYER OF THE DAY- Father, I know that I have refashioned your Son in my own image, and I am truly sorry. Please forgive me and help me avoid such idolatry again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to make me into his image and likeness from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me submit to Your Son, and to do Your will for all my days. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen
Lenten Discipline – Living a faithful Gospel witness can be very challenging as the Apostles remind us today. For many this is true especially when family and friends do not appreciate the value of who people really are in their giftedness. Reach out to a person you know who has a need be affirmed for who they really are. If it a person far off write a note asking for the opportunity, to have a time to share a meal with them and thank them for who they are.
Related Posts
Tags
Share This
