Lenten Meditations: Thursday15 February

Feb 15, 2018 by Jill

Thursday After Ash Wednesday – Sigfrid, Bishop, Apostle of Sweden, 1045

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: – Sigfrid, a Benedictine was most probably from York sent by King Ethelred to assist in the evangelization of Norway and Sweden in the eleventh century. He took with him two fellow missionaries, all three of whom were eventually consecrated bishops. Sigfrid was made Bishop of Vaxjo (pronounced Vek-sha) in Sweden, though his missionary journeys also took him into Denmark. He died in Vaxjo in 1045, where he is buried at the cathedral and is much revered throughout Scandinavia.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY: In the Old Testament Lesson from the Office Readings for today in the first lesson of the liturgy for today, the Prophet Habakkuk is perhaps somebody many in the church can related to as he looks at society around him, saddened that God’s people are failing to live in the way they should. He does what many of us do, he cries out ‘O LORD, how long? He knows dark days are coming. Difficult days are just around the corner. How often do we hear that in the media from Kansas to Korea? The key for this prophet is not to lose hope. In fact in the last two verses he says: ‘Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no heard in the stalls, yet will I rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

For most of us this is an important lesson at the beginning of Lent. We think difficulties are before us because we must wait longer for the train or the mobile data limit has reached its maximum too early in the month. Of course, most of these are not calamities. This lesson from Habakkuk in the first days of Lent is an opportunity to get perspective about priorities and needs and ask the Lord God to give us a sense of how to best live into the challenges give.

PRAYER OF THE DAY: O Lord God, rule and govern our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit that we may always be mindful of the end of all things and the day of your last judgment, and be stirred up to holiness of living here and dwell with you forever hereafter; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (excerpted from the: Swedish Psalm Book, 1677)

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE:  “Resolved: that all men should live for the glory of God. Resolved second: that whether others do or not, I will.”— Jonathan Edwards

Lenten Discipline – Not sure how to undertake a discipline, try this

Give up complaining -focus on gratitude.
Give up pessimism- become an optimist.
Give up harsh judgments-think kindly thoughts.
Give up worry-trust Divine Providence.
Give up bitterness – turn to forgiveness

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