| am: 42, 43 pm: 85, 86 | Gen 46:1-7, 28-34 | 1 Cor 9:1-15 | Mark 6:30-46 | |
| Thur Mar 27 | ||||
THIRD THURSDAY OF LENT – Saint John of Egypt, Hermit, 394
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Also known as St. John of Lycopolis this servant of God when he was twenty-five, decided to leave the world for good to spend his life in prayer and sacrifice for God. He was one of the famous desert hermits of that time. St. John spent four or five years in various monasteries. He wanted to become familiar with the way monks pray and live. Finally, John found a cave high in the rocks. The area was quiet and protected from the desert sun and winds. He divided the cave into three.
parts: a living room, a work room and a little chapel. People in the area brought him.
food and other necessities. Many also came to seek his advice about important matters. Even Emperor Theodosius I asked his advice twice, in 388 and in 392.
MEDITATION OF THE DAY: Psalm 85 appointed for today is a prayer during crisis. That is certainly something we can all relate to as we all have been in crisis. This is even more pronounced because it is a faith community in crisis. The Hebrew community like us prayed for joy. They desired a joy that can come from God’s presence in the midst of the spirit filled community. However, that is not something that just instantaneously occurs the people of God must work at it diligently and not just be wistful of the good ole days
As this is for a post-exilic community, they are is struggling coming to terms with that fact that the times have changed. The Psalmist is quite correct when he suggests that faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will come down from the heavens for God’s people but they must be focused on the things of God for that to occur
Perhaps we in the church who now find ourselves also in changing times can take a note from this Psalm. Being wistful for the old days and nostalgic is not salvific. The challenge to discern God moving in the midst of his church is however a call to renewed faithfulness. A call that will not go unanswered. Psalm 85 offers a model for the community of faith as a community of prayer both in a time of crisis and of celebration which should be rooted in our salvation; a salvation that can only come from the God who is sought by his people in faith.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “Be humble so that God guards and strengthens you, because God looks to the humble. Be humble so that God fills you with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, because it is written that He guides the humble and teaches His ways to the meek.”. – St. Pachomius
PRAYER OF THE DAY: “ O Lord like John of Egypt you knew value of solitude, reserving many moments to reflect as you sought out solitary places to pray. Teach me how to pray in seclusion, and to perceive the Father within myself. I ask you to guide me to welcome solitary moments and listen to Your holy will. . Amen.”
LENTEN DISCIPLINE –Take your lunch time or break of the day to go to a place that is isolated or provides you with a quiet solitary state and practice the lectio divina as a way to come to really hear God speaking today in your life . If that is not possible pray the mantra Lord Jesus Son of the Living God, Have mercy on me slowly with repetition in
this time alone.
SONG OF THE SEASON – O God You Search Me and Know Me by Bernadette Farrell