Lenten Meditations: Wednesday 28 February
| Wed Feb 28 |
am: 72 pm: 119:73-96 |
Gen 42:18-28 | 1 Cor 5:6-6:8 | Mark 4:1-20 |
WEDNESDAY OF LENT II: St. Oswald, Bishop of Worchester & Archbishop of York, 992
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Oswald was educated at the abbey of Fleury and learned there the Benedictine way. He became bishop of Worcester in 961 and brought Benedictine monastic practice to life at the cathedral. Together with Dunstan and Æthelwold, and aided by the support of King Edgar, he participated in the reform of English monastic practice which was supposed to bring it more closely in line with the ideals of the Benedictine Rule. In 972 Oswald was made Archbishop of York but retained the bishopric of Worcester. One of his most lasting achievements was the foundation of Ramsey Abbey, which went on to become one of the great monasteries. He was committed to Benedictine spirituality, service to the poor and greatly valued and promoted learning amongst the clergy. During the season of Lent it was his daily custom to washing the feet of the poor as a sign of the call to service and humility during the Holy Season.
MEDITATION OF THE DAY: Reflection on Psalm 72 is timely perhaps in every age but perhaps no more so than today when we consider the violence and unrest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Sudan, Syria just to name a few. The Psalmist reminds us that the Lord rules the world with justice and so should it be that those who inherit the mantle of governance should do the same. The Words of this Psalm remind us all that when the very least are violated, persecuted and murdered, this is not something that has the taste of being politically incorrect but rather such action is an intrinsic morally evil act. Such acts are sins against God and humanity.
Of course, we are reminded in the Psalm that the Lord God Himself is the ultimate delivered of justice and redemption who is on the side of the poorest of the poor. But if they are God’s own, how do they exist as not being our own as well. The Psalm is a clarion call to relationships that are right and just. Those who are without justice and integrity for what is essential to being human are in the greatest need and thus should be at the epicenter of our thoughts, prayers and actions. How we in the church respond to the experiences of the poor and powerless will set the tone and texture for how the wider culture will respond and how just our society can be.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: God our Father, teach us to find new life through care for those in need. Keep us from the sin of omission and help us live by your commandment of love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “Not to share one’s wealth with the poor is to steal from them and to take away their livelihood. It is not our own goods which we hold, but theirs” – – St John Chrysostom.
Lenten Discipline – Contact Faith-based agencies involved in the relief efforts in the places mentioned and investigate how you and others can help, Anglican Oversees Aid, Mothers Union, Catholic Relief Services, Samaritan’s Purse, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, Finn Church Aid, Danish Church Aid and Lutheran World Relief.
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