Lenten Meditations: Wednesday 29 March

Mar 29, 2017 by Jill

WEDNESDAY LENT IV – John Keble, Priest, 1866

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: John Keble, born 1792, ordained Priest in

1816, tutor at Oxford University from 1818 to 1823. He was Professor of Poetry at Oxford from 1831 to 1841, and from 1836 until his death in 1866r he was, priest at All Saints Parish in the village of Hursley. On 14 July 1833, he preached the Assize Sermon at Oxford for the opening of the civil and criminal courts. His sermon was called “National Apostasy,” and denounced the Nation for turning away from God, and for regarding the Church as a mere institution of society, rather than as the prophetic voice of God, commissioned by Him to warn and instruct the people. The sermon stirred the nation and ignited the religious revival known as the Tractarian Movement or the Oxford Movement. Prior to that sermon he published a book of poems called The Christian Year, containing poems for the Sundays and Feast Days that are still important to this day.

Keble translated the works of Irenaeus of Lyons (second century). and produced an edition of the works of Richard Hooker, writing books of poems, and numerous hymn lyrics until his death Three years after his death, his friends and admirers established Keble College at Oxford

MEDITATION OF THE DAY: St. Paul in this excerpt from Romans expresses the result of being transformed by the power of Christ. That result is a lifestyle very different than that of the culture as it is one of grace and gratitude.

Be sincere. Be one who has uncompromising values. Be selfless. Be Passionate about the Lord. Be Joyful. Be patient, even in troubling times. Be hospitable and forgiving.

These are just a few of the items Paul gives us to measure our witness for Christ. Paul acknowledges it may not always be easy to live this way as not everyone wants to live with peace, justice, integrity and compassion. But we as Christians must be willing to show the world the way. Paul says, “as far as it depends on you” – yes, we must be ready and willing. While we may not be responsible for the actions of others, we certainly are responsible for our actions & reactions as they reflect or fail to reflect a Christian witness.

PRAYER OF THE DAY: “Grant, O God, that in all time of our testing we may know thy Presence and obey thy will; that, following the example of thy servant John Keble, we may accomplish with integrity and courage that which thou givest us to do, and endure that which thou givest us to bear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.. Amen.

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “
“Once you make up your mind never to stand waiting and hesitating when your conscience tells you what you ought to do, and you have got the key to every blessing that a sinner can reasonably hope for.” – John Keble

Lenten Discipline – Go to http://www.fullbooks.com/The-Christian-Year.html  and read PART 2 focusing on the Third and Fourth Sundays of Lent. Share your reflections with a friend on these beautiful words from John Keble.

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