| Mon Mar 2 | am: 56, 57, 58 pm: 64, 65 | Gen 41:46-57 | 1 Cor 4:8-21 | Mark 3:7-19a |
SECOND MONDAY OF LENT: St. David of Wales, Bishop and Missionary, 589 AD
Patron Saint of Poets and the Country of Wales (Transferred from Sunday)
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: David is the patron saint of Wales. He became a priest, engaged in missionary work, and founded many monasteries, including his principal abbey in southwestern Wales. Many stories and legends sprang up about David and his Welsh monks. Their austerity was extreme. They worked in silence without the help of animals to till the soil. Their food was limited to bread, vegetables, and water.
In about the year 550, David attended a synod where his eloquence impressed his fellow monks to such a degree that he was elected primate of the region. The episcopal see was moved to Mynyw, where he had his monastery (now called St. David’s). He lived an ascetical life, which he shared with others. His Rule forbade the eating of meat; he is also the patron of vegetarians and vegans. It is said that he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was made a bishop by the Patriarch. He ruled his diocese until he had reached a very old age. His last words to his monks and subjects were: “Be joyful, brothers and sisters. Keep your faith and do the little things that you have seen and heard with me.”
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: When was the last time you slipped away to a hidden corner of the world simply to pray? A place of stillness—away from the clamor of schedules, the rush of crowds, the endless to-do list? Today’s Gospel from Mark reminds us that such withdrawal was not an incidental habit of Jesus; it was a deliberate, essential practice. Throughout the Synoptic Gospels, we see the Master repeatedly seeking solitary moments—whether on the mount, beside the sea, or in a deserted garden. If retreat was vital to Him, it must also be a priority in our own rhythm of life. Consider that our culture celebrates constant activity. We pride ourselves on being “doers,” juggling home, work, church, and countless obligations. Yet Jesus shows us a counter-cultural truth: the most effective service springs from a rested, attentive heart. Without intentional withdrawal, our efforts become frantic, our compassion thins, and the flame of discipleship flickers.
When Jesus led the apostles up the hill, He was not merely offering a scenic view. He was setting them apart for preparation—creating space for the Holy Spirit to settle, for hearts to be tuned, and for minds to receive the task ahead. In that quiet, the disciples could hear—not just the words spoken, but the still, small voice that steadies us for the Kingdom.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Almighty God, who called your servant David to be a faithful and wise steward of your mysteries for the people of Wales; In your mercy, grant that, following his purity of life and zeal for the gospel of Christ We may with him receive the crown of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “We therefore grossly deceive ourselves in not allotting more time to the study of divine truths. It is not enough barely to believe them, and let our thoughts now and then glance upon them: that knowledge which shows us heaven, will not bring us to the possession of it, and will deserve punishments, not rewards, if it remains slight, weak, and superficial. By serious and frequent meditation, it must be concocted, digested, and turned into the nourishment of our affections before it can be powerful and operative enough to change them and produce the necessary fruit in our lives. For this, all the saints affected solitude and retreats from the noise and hurry of the world, as much as their circumstances allowed them. – — St. Apollinaris, On the Truth
Lenten Discipline – Make a concrete plan this second week of Lent to withdraw, to listen, and to be refreshed. Perhaps a day of silence—choose a Saturday or Sunday to forgo errands, social media, and even meals prepared for others, dedicating the whole day to contemplative prayer. You can also simply take a holy hour prayer vigil in a local parish nearby.
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – O Great Saint David