| Tues Feb 24 | am: 45 pm: 47, 48 | Gen 37:12-24 | 1 Cor 1:20-31 | Mark 1:14-28 |
TUESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT – St. Matthias, Apostle, First Century
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: February 24 marks the feast day of Saint Matthias the Apostle for Anglicans (his feast day is celebrated on May 14 in Roman Catholicism and on August 9 in Eastern Orthodoxy). Saint Matthias is unique in church history in that he is the first apostle admitted by election (casting lots) after the ascension of Jesus. Matthias was selected to replace Judas Iscariot after his apostasy and subsequent death.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: In the less from the Old Testament today, we are offered a familiar story both in the context of Scripture and sadly all too often in our daily lives. One must ponder how it is that the jealousy of Joseph’s brothers turned into such cold- hearted revenge? We are reminded in this story of some basic elements about being human, namely that when someone hurts us, when someone wounds us deeply, it’s hard to get over. It’s not like we can just snap our fingers and erase what has been done. We brood, we hurt, we remember. But if we’re not careful, the pain we feel can cause us to do things that we’ll later regret. The sad reality is that no matter how “just” we think we’re being, we have a tendency to step over the line because our feelings get in the way, and our egos get in the way.
What this text challenges us to do is to consider how we’re going to respond to the pain we feel. Joseph’s brothers threw Joseph into a pit and then sold him into slavery. They didn’t have the perspective or faith or character to respond in any remotely redemptive way, or bring Joseph along in any significant way. How blessed it would have been for them to have a relationship with this brother, but instead, they lived in constant fear of him with guilty consciences nearly to their dying day. As we ponder this story, let us consider those we have thrown into the pit in our lives and how best we can be instruments of restoration with and for them.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: O Almighty God, who into the place of the traitor Judas didst choose thy faithful servant Matthias to be of the number of the twelve Apostles: Grant that thy Church, being always preserved from false Apostles, may be ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “Steer to God right away; fly to him, and you will find a peaceful shelter.” – Charles H. Spurgeon.
LENTEN DISCIPLINE –Consider how well you have received opportunities to pursue new ministries in the life of the church. Are you closer to Judas’s response or Matthias’s? What ministries are you open to this Lent?
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – The Highest And The Holiest Place by Henry Alford