| Mon Mar 24 | am: 80 pm: 77, 79 | Jere 7:1-15 | Rom 4:1-12 | John 7:14-36 |
FIFTH MONDAY OF LENT – St. Catherine of Sweden, Founder of the Order of the Holy Savior, 1381
LITRURGCAL THEME FOR THE DAY : a daughter of Saint Bridget of Sweden and Ulf Gudmarsson. She was Married by arrangement at age 13 to the pious German noble Eggart von Kürnen. Soon after their marriage, both she and her husband took vows of chastity and continence. Widowed soon after that she journeyed to Rome where her mother was and for the next 25 years the two women used Rome as a base for a series of pilgrimages, including one to Jerusalem. When home, they spent their days in prayer and meditation, working with the poor, and teaching them religion. When Bridget died, Catherine took her body back to Sweden, burying it at the convent of the Order of the Holy Savior (Brigittines) at Vadstena. Catherine became superior of the Order and served as abbess.
MEDITATION FOR THE DAY : We hear again a familiar story as Jesus’ critics are questioning by what authority, wisdom, training, and basis he offers any teaching. They are perplexed because Jesus has no known credentials. Jesus counters them forcefully
He makes clear that what he is teaching by virtue of the One who sent Him, making clear that His knowledge, teaching, comes from God, that is, a revelation. This is not said or done in arrogance. In fact, Jesus typically only teaches after a time of quiet and solitude where he is in touch with the Father, so that he and the Father are One. Imagine if the major moment of our day were taken only after quiet discernment with the father. What would the quality of our lives and look like if we were available and open to what God might want to say to us, to what God might want to reveal? Imagine what our quality of life would be if we were confident in decisions, statements and action were rooted in the grace of the source of all that good holy and true?
PRAYER OF THE DAY: O God, help me this day. I will do it right and rise above any attacks; I will give thanks when I should; I will love when I am loved; I will save instead of waste; I will sacrifice instead of sin; I will fight for those who cannot.
I will give my best; I will not sacrifice my faith for fortune; I will work hard even if I am.
not appreciated; I will give and not expect it to return, knowing that what happens here is of little account providing I have the assurance of your love and grace. Amen
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: ““We must maintain great stillness of mind, even in the midst of our struggles. We shall then be able to distinguish between the different types of thoughts that come to us: those that are good, those sent by God, we will treasure in our memory; those that are evil and inspired by the devil we will reject”– St. Diadochus of Photice, 5th Cent. Ascetic
LENTEN DISCIPLINE – When we consider the situations of our lives, who in our life deserves a second chance or an opportunity to make right a wrong, while this is vulnerable for us it is important. Make a list of people in your life, who would welcome the opportunity to make new things and create the possibility for that in your life, work, family or church.
SONG FOR THE SEASON- Discernment by Quinn Throness
– https://youtu.be/E6WIZi6ncyY?si=lOBKW1dg_8RXNhcl