Lenten Meditations: Monday 23 March

Mar 23, 2020 by

Mon
Mar 23
am: 89:1-18
pm: 89:19-52
Gen 49:1-28 1 Cor 10:14-11:1 Mark 7:24-37

 

FOURTH MONDAY OF LENTGregory the Illuminator, Bishop and Missionary of Armenia, c.332

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: On this day we remember the first Bishop of Armenia, Gregory. The ancient kingdom of Armenia was the first country to become Christian, and it recognizes Gregory as its apostle. Armenia was a buffer state between the powerful empires of Rome and Parthia (Persia), and both of them sought to control it. Gregory was born about 257. When he was still an infant, his father assassinated the King of Parthia, and friends of the family carried Gregory away for protection to Caesarea in Cappadocia, where he was reared as a Christian. About 280 he returned to Armenia, where he was at first treated severely, but eventually by his preaching and example brought both King Tiridates and a majority of his people to the Christian faith.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY:  As we consider the Psalm appointed for today, we are reminded again of the power of the Covenant of God with his people. The promise of the Covenant for is essential to our response as disciples. The promise that The Lord will always be with us and that he is faithful to those who are faithful to him is critical for all disciples but especially for those who live under the fear of the Pandemic we presently face.  Christian and other leaders from around the world tell us that this pandemic is  attacking humans at an  unprecedented level. The words from the Psalm today should cause us to stop, pause, pray and consider the disposition of our lives and how faithful we who have much freedom exercise that freedom in relationship of the Covenant God has made with us.  

PRAYER OF THE DAY: “ Lord, the circumstances of our world are overwhelming, but we know your promises never fail and that you will not forsake us. Be with your children- and hold us up! Please, give us the strength we need today to make it through this trial. Give us hope that can only come from you. In your precious name we pray. .” Amen.

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE:Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human.”- Henri J.M. Nouwen

Lenten Discipline Go to https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/coronavirus-relief-fund/   which is a large global crowdfunding community that connects nonprofits, donors and companies. It has set a goal of reaching $5 million in donations. Money received will go toward sending emergency medical workers to communities in need, providing medical supplies to hospitals and helping deliver essentials to families.

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