Lenten Meditations: Wednesday 25 March
| Wed Mar 25 |
Psalm 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-2 | Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10 | Hebrews 10:5-10 | Luke 1:26-39 |
FOURTH WEDNESDAY OF LENT – Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary ( West) or The Feast of the Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary(East)
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: On this feast of the Annunciation, we take a slight break from the Lenten disciplines and remember the Angel Gabriel’s proclamation of Good News as we commemorate both the divine initiative of God, whereby He took on flesh from the Virgin for our salvation, and the human response, whereby Mary freely accepted the vocation offered to her. Mary could have refused, for she was not a passive instrument, but an active participant with a free and positive part to play in God’s plan for our salvation. But her Yes, her “fiat” changes human destiny. In this she becomes an example of radical Christian humility as well as a model of how humanity is called to participate in the redemption of mankind. She placed her future in the hands of the Father. Her example should inspire us to stand firm as Christians in today’s ever-changing fads and fancies.
MEDITATION OF THE DAY –The lessons today come from the lectionary in the East and Western traditions for the Eucharistic Rites of this Holy Day. Of course, in our present global crisis there is a constant call for us to Be not afraid, just as the angel that comes tells Mary. Remember too it was just a few short months ago that we also heard the angels tell the shepherds, “Be not afraid. I bring you tidings of great joy”. It is difficult to abide by such words when faced with the abyss of the unknown. The key seems to be to use the gift of faith no matter how frightened or unsure we are. We may not have the benefit of an angel’s appearance, but we do have the call of God on our lives to walk the way of the path on which Jesus had already set into motion. On it there was suffering but also joy. Mary knows this well and so now lies the possibility that we too may know it too.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: “God of infinite love, I thank you for this reminder of your love
and your call that we be more patient, gentle and compassionate with others.
As we continue in this Lenten journey, I turn to you to beg for your help. Please soften my heart and make me mindful of your call and gift in my life. I ask you this, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “When, therefore, they ask, ‘Is Mary mother of man or Mother of God?’ we answer, ‘Both!’ The one by the very nature of what was done and the other by relation” — Theodore of Mopsuestia”.
Lenten Discipline – Go to https://youtu.be/RERoQ1biLdE or https://youtu.be/fEW07akzQZ8 and ponder the Words and actions of Mary the Mother of Jesus that led her to be an agent of the Salvation Story..
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