Lenten Meditations: Thursday 5 March

Mar 5, 2020 by

PSALM: am: 50, 59, 60 pm: 19, 46
Old Testament: Gen 39:1-23
Epistle: 1 Cor 2:14-3:15
Gospel: Mark 2:1-12

F​IRST​ T​HURSDAY​ I​N​ L​ENT​ – ​LENT I​ –​ ​St. Piran of Cornwall, St. Kieran/ Ciarán of Saigir, Bishop, 530 AD

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY​: ​Piran was a hermit near Padstow in Cornwall and sometimes called Perran. He is the patron saint of tin mines there and is often erroneously identified with ​St. Kyran (Kieran) of Saighir. St. Kieran was one of the 12 men known as the 12 Apostles of Ireland who when St. Patrick arrived in Ireland, gave him his much assistance. Eventually, he became the first bishop of Ossory. The diocese of Ossory, “Ireland’s oldest bishopric”, was probably co-terminus with the ancient kingdom of Ossory. Some hagiography’s credit Kieran, as a pioneer founder of Irish women’s convents from which the village called Saigher arose around the monastery. In addition to this some hold that he is one of four bishops to have preceded Saint Patrick (​Ailbe Bishop of Emly; Declan of Ardmore; Ciaran, and Ibar of Beg Iri, a small island off the Wexford coast.)

MEDITATION OF THE DAY​:​ We now are reading through the story of Joseph and find ourselves about ​midway through the story. He has been betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt. Not of his own doing of course but rather because his brothers whom he loved have betrayed him by mugging him, stripping him, and taking his clothes to present as false witness to their father, saying that Joseph is dead. We are reminded again that human nature can choose less than grace and less than good and it becomes augmented especially when there are numbers of people encouraging each other to keep making the poor choices. How can God let people be victimized like this? well this is the downside of free will? when we choose life and love, free will is a blessing. When we fail to do so it can do harm beyond measure to others as well as to ourselves. AS the story unfolds, we find that the brothers destroyed themselves and the fabric of their family all because of a beautiful coat. In this Lenten Season let us consider the times we have grown jealous and petty over things and taken wrong action. Perhaps there is still time to make things right? PRAYER OF THE DAY​: ​Almighty God, you called your servant Joseph to be faithful and amidst great pain and betrayal. Mercifully grant that, following his purity of life and zeal for the the Covenant with Abba God, we may receive the grace we need when faced with adversity and betrayal, we ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy spirit, one God, for ever and ever. ​Amen.” ​

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE : ​“​When patience greatly increases in our soul, it is a sign that we have secretly received the grace of consolation. The power of patience is stronger than the joyful thoughts that descend into the heart.” St. Isaac the Syrian – “Ascetical Homilies” (Homily Forty-Eight)

L​ENTEN​ D​ISCIPLINE​ – ​Who have you been jealous or envious of? How have you hurt them? Consider what step you can honor them after having dishonored them by the way you exercised your free will towards them do to your own shortcomings

Related Posts

Tags

Share This