Lenten Meditations: Wednesday 16 March
Psalm: am: 119:121-144; pm: 119-153-end
OT: Num 11:10-23
Epistle: Heb 12:3-13
Gospel: John 11:45-end
FIFTH WEDNESDAY OF LENT – St. Aristobulus, Bishop of Britain (1st c.)
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Anglicans especially will find it interesting that
on the Eastern Calendar is commemorated today St. Aristobulus of the Seventy, first
Bishop of Britain (1st c.). Tradition holds that he was born in Cyprus and was the brother of the Apostle Barnabas who aided St. Paul (and who mentions him in Romans 16:10). Aristobulus was commissioned and sent out landing in Brita in where he endured terrible torments, misfortunes and malice from the people They were without mercy, dragging him through the streets, mocking him. But in the end this
holy man came to success by the power of the grace of God. He enlightened the people, baptized them in the name of Christ the Lord, and established churches.
MEDITATION OF THE DAY: The lesson from Hebrews appointed today from the Common Worship Lectionary highlights a key idea when it states: take care, lest there be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart [which refuses to cleave to, trust in, and rely on Him], leading you to turn away and desert or stand aloof from the living God. But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamor of his sin may play on him]” (Hebrews 3:12-13).
Can we grasp that unbelief is the end result of a choice? How can it not be when this world causes chaos in one’s heart and soul and that challenges our ability given our human frailty to trust God. That is why the author of Hebrews instructs us to find daily encouragement in one another, because it strengthens us for the day ahead. Encouragement of this type comes the fellowship of the saints when he writes … “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
The Good News that the Lord is present when we share our lives with other followers drawing encouragement from each other’s we are also built up in faith; ready to operate as God’s ambassadors in this world.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Kindle in our hearts, O God, the flame of that love which never ceases, that it may burn in us, giving light to others. May we shine forever in Thy holy temple. Set on fire with Thy eternal light, Even Thy son, Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “All of us can attain to Christian virtue and holiness, no matter in what condition of life we live and no matter what our life work may be” — St Francis de Sales
LENTEN DISCIPLINE – Today would be a good inventory to assess how you are living your faith in accord with you gifts. If you are not clear on what your gifts are go to http://mintools.com/spiritual-gifts-test.htm and participate in the inventory to begin the process.
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