| Sat April 5 | am: 88 pm: 91, 92 | Jere 11:1-8, 14-20 | Rom 6:1-11 | John 8:33-47 |
FOURTH SATURDAY IN LENT St. Ethelburga, Abbess, 647
St. Ethelburga (Aethelburh) was born into the royal family of East Anglia, daughter of St. Ethelbert of Kent in the seventh century. She was also wife to King St. Edwin of Northumbria, England (called Tate. She King St. Edwin to faith in Christ and when he died, she as abbess until her death. Her sister, St. Erconwald (May 13), founded the monastery of Barking (Berecingum) in Essex, which she became the abbess of after she founded a convent at Lyminge after the King’s death. She led a virtuous life and guided those who were under her spiritual care.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY – Paul goes to the heart of an important point that we all need to hear.”Now, if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God”. The essential question of a holy lent is…Have we become so united with Christ, that the “old us” has died when Christ died and the power of our “flesh” or sinful nature has been broken There is no joke or April Fool gag on this point. We are called in this Holy Season to share anew in the power of Christ’s life in our lives. It doesn’t get more serious than this!
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: ” I am a fool for Christ…whose fool, are you?” — Brother Andrew (The Narrow Road: Stories of Those Who Walk This Road Together)
PRAYER OF THE DAY: “O gracious Father, Source of all excellent things, grant us strength and hope in these days of uncertainty, finding courage through your Holy Spirit; and give us grace so to live, not in our weakness, but in your unceasing steadfastness, ever encouraged by the company of heaven; through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Lenten Discipline – Reflect on the sacrifice of others so you could receive the faith. Think of your parents and family, and friends. How have they withstood criticism and prejudice for your sake? How can you honor them for their “yes?” How can you help pass on the faith despite the cost?
SONG OF THE SEASON – All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name https://youtu.be/Xr1ddOoi_QQ?si=NcWX-Wz_1O17cbGU