Lenten Meditations: Friday 24 March

Mar 24, 2023 by

Fri
Mar 24
am: 107:1-32
pm: 107:33-43
Jere 23:1-8 Rom 8:28-39 John 6:52-59

FOURTH FRIDAY OF LENTWalter Hilton of Thurgarton, Mystic ,1396

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY:  Born in 1343, Walter Hilton studied Canon Law at Cambridge but after a period as a hermit, he joined the community of Augustinian Canons at Thurgarton in Nottinghamshire. Highly regarded in his lifetime as a spiritual guide, he wrote in both Latin and English and translated several Latin devotional works. Controversy with the Lollards (The Lollards followed from the teachings of John Wycliffe, a prominent theologian at Oxford in the mid-14th Century. They wanted reform of the Church and taught that piety was a requirement for a priest to be a “true” priest and perform the sacraments. They also maintained that a pious layman had power to perform those same rites, believing that religious power and authority came through piety and not through the Church hierarchy) gave a sharper definition to his exposition of the aims, methods and disciplines of traditional spirituality. Amongst his major works, Ladder of Perfection (Book Two) declares that contemplation, understood in a profoundly Trinitarian context as awareness of grace and sensitivity to the Spirit, may and should be sought by all serious Christians.

BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: Psalm 107 involves Israel’s restoration from exile in Babylon. Because the people disobeyed God and ignored His covenant, they were taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar. Then after several years in exile, many of them were allowed to return. Although this is a psalm that lists the many ways that God responded to their needs and sheltered them from their enemies, it also targets in on the truth of God’s steadfast love. He responded to their cries and poured out gracious goodness to them, even when they rebelled against the Word of the Lord or proudly forged out their own pathway. Sometimes when life gets difficult, it is difficult to see God’s goodness. The Psalm appointed for today is full of reminders of how God moves in our lives especially when we don’t see the possibility of his acting on our behalf. The circumstances of the Psalm from the wandering in the desert to the challenges of the seas should serve as a clear reminder that we only kid ourselves to thinking we’re the masters of our own fate. The Lord has authority over the forces of nature (107:33–38) and over the affairs of men (107:39–41). He is sovereign over all!

 

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “Knowledge by itself stirs the heart with pride, but united to love it turns to edification.” By itself this knowledge is like water, tasteless and cold. But if those who have it will offer it humbly to our Lord and ask for His grace, He will turn the water into wine with His blessing. – Walter Hilton

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY: Lord, what you ask of my life seems so right.  It is how I want to live, following your Son, Jesus, so closely. And yet I fail so often to stay on that path. I cannot do it alone, loving Lord.  I need your help and guidance.
I need to remember your love for me and I want to remember how very much I need you in my life.

 

Lenten Discipline –  Review God’s faithfulness in your own life—perhaps even writing out a timeline—to reflect on how your heavenly Father has demonstrated His sovereign purpose and care in your life. In light of your review, seek to live this day with a grateful heart that is gripped by the grace of the living God.

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