| Mon Apr7 | am: 31 pm: 35 | Jere 24:1-10 | Rom 9:19-33 | John 9:1-17 |
MONDAY OF LENT V – – Saint John Baptist de La Salle, Teacher, 1719
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY – Born into a wealthy family in Rheims, France, in 1651, he was only eleven when he discerned the call to become a priest. He received the best education, and with his family connections, everyone believed that he would become an important person in the Church, as he was first assigned to the cathedral in Rheims. While serving there, he came across Arian Nyel, a man from another part of France who had opened four schools for poor boys. In those days, only wealthy children could afford an education. Mr. Nyel convinced John Baptist that he must establish schools for poor boys in Rheims.
John’s first school attracted so many students that a second school had to be started. But John was disappointed with the teachers. They were not well educated and were often cruel to the children. It is said that he fired all of them and began to train new teachers who would do a better job. Thereafter, he formed a religious community called the Brothers of the Christian Schools.” They were the first religious order established to educate the poor and continue that vital ministry throughout the world to this day. He is the patron saint of teachers.
MEDITATION OF THE DAY: Jeremiah in this passage get another lesson from the Lord God. In this account, God compares the people who have been uprooted and exiled from their homes as good ripe figs. God says that those people are people that God will care for, strengthen, and return their homes to them. The others, the bad figs….well, a bright future doesn’t seem to be theirs. We know the future is not bright as this lesson marks the beginning of the exile.
The fig tree imagery is not new to us in the church as it continues to be a symbol for Israel. The tree and its fruits seem to always be faced with an ultimatum for fruitfulness, and in this case (as in our own this Lent), that is highlighted by the call to bear good fruit, which is expressed in repentance. In this passage, God’s intention going forward is clear: “You will be my people, and I will be their God, for you will return to me with all their heart. The question for us this Lent is: have we made that full return yet this Lenten Season?
PRAYER OF THE DAY: O Lord Jesus, Your endless grace and mercy flow forth. Before granting absolution, you demanded a sacrificial metanoia. A wrongful act cannot be rectified until penance has been accepted! Lord, for the salvation of my soul, you accepted the price of the Cross! Grant me the grace to do the same in my Lenten Journey. Amen.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: After the sin comes the shame; courage follows repentance. Did you pay attention to what I said? Satan upsets the order; he gives the courage to sin and the shame to repentance. – Saint John Chrysostom
Lenten Discipline- As the theme for this day addresses the idea of repentance and renewal, it would serve as a good day to undertake an examination of conscience. Go to this link to undertake this simple examen: http://anglicanchurchmenorca.com/the-jesuit-examination-of-conscience
SONG OF THE SEASON – My Song Is Love Unknown