Lenten Meditations: Monday 11 March 2024

Mar 11, 2024 by Jill

FOURTH MONDAY OF LENT: – St.  Constantine of Scotland, Martyr,  576,

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Today we remember St. Constantine, born in 520, and in 537 succeeded his father as the ruler of Cornwall. The king’s character, however, changed greatly after the death of his beloved wife. Constantine grieved her loss and could find no comfort. While hunting he met a hermit and decided to convert to Christianity. Soon after that, Constantine abdicated the throne in favor of his son, said farewell to all, and left for Ireland, the land of monasteries.

Constantine worked in a monastery granary for seven years. The abbot took Constantine away from the mill and educated him to become a priest. Father Constantine spent another seven years at the monastery. Then, he was given the duty of preaching the Good News to the people of South-West Scotland who, for the most part, were pagan. By a river near Glasgow, St. Constantine founded a monastery, where he was elected abbot. Constantine was a good pastor, and his steadfast devotion helped many to accept faith in Christ. As he grew older, the saint prayed to God to give him a martyr’s death. The prayer was answered during one of St. Constantine’s journeys as a missionary. He was on the peninsula of Kintyre with another monk. A group of robbers followed them, and, seizing Father Constantine’s companion, cut off his hand. St. Constantine immediately healed the man with his touch. The miracle made the evil men angry, and, after cruelly beating the saint, they cut off his arm and left him to die. His companion called the other monks for help, and when they came, St. Constantine was still alive. He comforted his brethren and blessed them. The saint died from loss of blood. The monks carried the holy body to the monastery and buried it in the church. The church, known as St. Constantine’s, still stands and is one of the oldest in Scotland. According to Irish tradition, he died in 588; according to Scottish tradition, in 576.

BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: Psalm 89 begins with a promise to the Lord, “I’ll sing of your steadfast love forever. I remember singing this in seminary at the daily office with a different translation. “I will celebrate your love forever Yahweh, age to age my word will proclaim your love” It jumped off the pages 40+ years ago in seminary because the profundity of that covenant between God and myself was so dynamic when I sang those words it was overwhelming. By no means was I comparing my circumstances in seminary to the people living during the Babylonian Exile, but when one realizes the power of the love of God it does cause us to stop in our tracks and take notice.

In an age where the idea of one’s word being their bond is a nostalgic wish, it is reassuring that in the covenant relationship between God and humanity, God is the faithful One and we can always count on Him. One would think in this day and age this would capture more people’s hearts. Could it be we in the church need to re-embrace it again first?

PRAYER OF THE DAY: Lord God, maker of heaven and earth and of all created things, you make your just ones holy and you justify sinners who confess your name. Hear us as we humbly pray to you: give us eternal joy with your saints. Amen.

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: Do not ever think yourselves better than the rest of your companions who share the same faith. ~ St. Cuthbert

Lenten Lyric Hymn of St. Columba

Lenten Discipline –  Today there is someone in your life who is struggling with many storms raging in their life. Offer this Psalm and yourself as an instrument of grace to show them through prayer support and an act of kindness.

Related Posts

Tags

Share This