Lenten Meditations: Friday 26 March
| Fri Mar 26 |
am 22 pm: 141, 143 |
Jere 29:1, 4-13 | Rom 11:13-24 | John 11:1-27 or 12:1-10 |
FIFTH FRIDAY OF LENT: Saint Macartin, Monk and Bishop, c.505
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: As an early disciple and companion of Saint Patrick during the latter’s missions into pagan territory. He is said to have been consecrated bishop of Clogher in Tyrone by Patrick in 454. It is said that Saint Brigid, was Macartin’s niece, was present at the founding of the see. Tradition names Macartan as the “strong man” of Saint Patrick, who established the church in Clogher and spread the Gospel in Tyrone and Fermanagh.
Macartin is also one of the earliest Irish saints to be known as a miracle-worker. His holiness is revealed not so much by any “vita,” which are non-existent, but by the high veneration in which he is held. Saint Bede records that the earth was taken from his grave as holy relics. His Office is the only one to survive from an Irish source.
MEDITATION OF THE DAY: We continue in the USA Lectionary with a reading from Romans 11. Paul continues to make his case that God is working through his people and that includes Israel. Paul has suggested in the previous section that whenever God shows mercy to one group, the other shares the blessing. Of course, In God’s original plan, the Hebrew [people would be the source of God’s blessing to the Gentiles. Israel was to be a “light to the Gentiles.” It was their privilege and responsibility not only to believe the gospel but to proclaim it to the nations. They neither believed it nor proclaimed it. Because of Israel’s disobedience, the good news of the gospel has been extended to the Gentiles, and many have come to faith. We in the Church must consider the privilege state that we have and how we are being lights to the nations in this day and time or are we repeating the path that Israel took in its day?
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Give me courage I pray, to open my mouth and speak the truth to whomsoever I may come into contact. Release my tongue and allow me to speak forth what is in my heart, to your praise and glory. Lord, I know that without You I can do nothing, but I also believe that I can do all things through Christ Who gives me the strength and courage. So, use my life I pray, and give me the courage to be a good and faithful witness to Jesus, in word and in deed, to His praise and glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE “The Irish miracle’ as we like to call it, is this second setting out of Christianity, from a country which had only just been baptized, and which was immediately dreaming of giving Christ back to the world. Ireland, between the fifth and the eighth century, was like a second Palestine, like a new cradle of the Christian faith” –Daniel Rops.
Lenten Discipline – Today is a day to witness to those who need the Gospel as a true servant, who is willing to be a Light to the Nations, make yourself available to serve those who are in need of the Gospel, at home, at work, play or school.
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