| Fri Mar 6 | am: 69 pm: 73 | Gen 43:1-15 | 1 Cor 7:1-9 | Mark 4:35-41 |
SECOND FRIDAY OF LENT – 42 Martyrs of Amorion in Phrygia (845)
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: The story of these Martyrs is being played out again as we in the Church stand shocked over the acts of ISIS towards the Christian Community in Syria and Iraq. The recent slaying of the Egyptian Christians should not only break our hearts but compel us, as these disciples who we remember this day were compelled. They were taken captive when Amorion in Phrygia fell to the Muslims in 838, during the reign of Emperor Theophilus. Many of them were officers, and because of their status and reputation, their captors, rather than kill them, attempted to convert them to Islam. The forty-two were kept in a miserable dungeon in Syria, where they were alternately promised the highest honors and privileges if they would convert and threatened with the most horrible consequences if they refused. This continued for seven full years, but none would deny his faith in Christ. Finally, unable to shake their faith, their captors beheaded them all in 845.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: In today’s Gospel, Mark describes in detail how Jesus calms a rough sea and windy storm to the astonishment of his disciples. The Sea of Galilee is situated in a basin surrounded by mountains, where violent storms are not uncommon. It was evening, and Jesus wanted to leave Galilee and go to the region of the Gerasenes. Mark describes an exhausted and sleeping Jesus on a cushion in the back of the boat. Other boats were close by, as well as his disciples. As the storm threatened them, they awoke Jesus and said, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up and said, “Quiet, Be Still!” “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” This was one of many times that Jesus’ authority was confirmed. He not only could perform miracles on people, but also over nature. Like the disciples, we may have times in our lives that feel like “storms.” Problems can be like storms, coming in and taking away our peace. But Jesus is with us in these storms, just like He was with the disciples in the boat. We don’t need to panic or be afraid.
While God does not magically remove every one of our problems, He does promise to be with us through them and to provide strength and help. This Lent, perhaps one of the challenges for us as a people is that we may not trust Jesus completely. We may become afraid and panic in moments of fear. Can we pursue the disciplines of prayer and study along with some spiritual direction to attain that calmness and trust?
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Gracious God, these servants of yours at Phrygia remembered this day did so contend on earth for Christ’s glory, and were shown forth as godly crown-bearing Martyrs, have been vouchsafed to dwell with you in Heaven joyously. Since you have broken all the snares of the enemy’s cunning by your sufferings and the blood of your tortures and wounding, give us the grace as you gave them at Phrygia the strength and courage to face the suffering for the Gospel so that we may honor you. Amen
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “The early church was married to poverty, prisons, and persecutions. Today, the church is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity. –Leonard Ravenhill
LENTEN DISCIPLINE – Today, martyrdom abounds throughout the earth. Pray for martyrs in the world by using this prayer guide at https://www.persecution.com/globalprayerguide/
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – Ancient Words by Michael W. Smith