| Wed Mar 26 | am: 119:97-120 pm: 81, 82 | Jere 8:18-9:6 | Rom 5:1-11 | John 8:12-20 |
THIRD WEDNESDAY OF LENT – St. Margaret Clitherow, Mother and Teacher, 1586
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Margaret was born in 1555, she was raised as a member of the Church of England, but after her marriage to John Clitherow, she made the decision to become Roman Catholic. It was a brave decision because Margaret lived during the English Reformation.
Margaret’s husband did not become Catholic, but he supported her decision. John even paid the fines Margaret was charged for not attending Anglican services in their local church! Margaret had two hiding places built in their home. One was a small room, large enough for several priests to hide from the authorities looking to arrest any members of the clergy. The other secret place in Margaret’s house was a small cupboard. In it she kept the sacred vessels, including a chalice and paten, and vestments—anything a priest would need to celebrate the Eucharist. The home was searched often because the authorities suspected that Margaret was breaking the laws against Catholics. Margaret made plans to send her oldest son to France so that he could receive a Catholic education. This, too, was a crime. Someone reported Margaret and she was arrested.
She refused to admit that she had broken any laws. Margaret was found guilty and sentenced to death. The Church honors St. Margaret as a saint for her courage and faith like many martyrs of the church on both sides in that era
MEDITATION OF THE DAY: Paul has written to the Romans and to us that we are justified by faith. This comes as no surprise. His whole point in the previous chapter has been to say that this is always the way that justification has happened to God’s people. But in this next section he lays out the practical benefits so to speak and they are : Peace with God, God’s favor, Hope and Salvation which is present and abundant joy.
Despite that it is at time a challenge for many of us to trust in the grace of God largely because it requires patience as God’s time is not our time offered in the course of his obedience to God, we too may experience suffering when we embody Christ’s life of faith and faithfulness. Paul even says he “boasts” in his suffering (Rom. 5:3), knowing that his suffering is a participation in the suffering Jesus experienced in his mission to reconcile the world to God. That is a challenge for us because we would like the benefits without the pain or sacrifice that may be involved on a very human level. But that is why this is a matter of the spirit. No doubt the saint for today, Blessed Basil would have preferred other treatment than what he received, but those benefits emboldened him and may it do the same for us.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “For I am fully resolved in all things touching my faith, which I ground upon Jesus Christ, and by Him I steadfastly believe to be saved…and by God’s assistance I mean to live and die in the same faith”. – St. Margaret Clitherow
PRAYER OF THE DAY: “Most Merciful God, who despises not a broken and contrite heart and hath promised to fill those who hunger and thirst after righteousness; We humbly beseech thee, remember not the sins and offenses of our forefathers, but grant that, like thy servants Margaret Ward, Margaret Clitherow, and Anne Line, we may sanctify thee in our hearts and be always ready to answer for our faith with meekness and fear; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.. Amen.”
LENTEN DISCIPLINE –Who in your life could use a safe haven of friendship and counsel for a few hours? I the spirit of Blessed Margaret offer such space to one who needs it due to the oppressions and persecutions of their life.
SONG OF THE SEASON – Keep Me Safe O God by John Foley