Lenten meditations: Monday 30 March
| Mon Mar 30 |
am: 31 pm: 35 |
Exod 4:10-31 | 1 Cor 14:1-19 | Mark 9:30-41 |
FIFTH MONDAY OF LENT – St. John Climacus or John of the Ladder, 606
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: He was a monk on Mount Sinai at age 16 he went on to become a hermit in various places in the Desert eventually becoming abbot at Mount Sinai Monastery. He is an Ascetical writer whose works have influenced those seeking the holy life for 15 centuries. His classic work was entitled: The Climax: The Ladder of Divine Ascent written in the mid 6th Century. The Ladder describes how to raise one’s soul and body to God through the acquisition of ascetic virtues. Climacus uses the analogy of Jacob’s Ladder as the framework for his spiritual teaching. Each chapter is referred to as a “step” and deals with a separate spiritual subject.
MEDITATION OF THE DAY: In the lesson from Exodus we see Moses in a position that we have often been in with God. We have heard God’s call to us (no matter how Great we think it to be or small) and we want to debate with God the wisdom of the call. In Moses case, he takes exception to God’s call because he is not a good speaker; as one who had been near Pharaoh’s court, he knew the sort of eloquence demanded there. Moses is claiming that his ability does not match God’s call (4:10). So, he is claiming he knows better than God. Perhaps something we have suggested as well in our journey of faith. Of course, Moses doesn’t have a speech problem. He has a perception problem. He has the perception that the essence of this call being fulfilled depends upon his skill set.
He fails to grasp that God calls people to do what we cannot do simply according to our own will or strength. The good news is that God is not and has not been limited by our ability to effect the work he seeks to accomplish. As we seek to make this Lenten Journey a transformative one let is not operate by the notion that our limitations may take precedence over God’s power to perform his will—even if he chooses to do so through us
PRAYER OF THE DAY: “God of infinite power, I thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the call to serve each day. Give me the grace of submission to your will and let it bear a fruitfulness that has me be more patient, gentle and compassionate with others.
As I continue in this Lenten journey, I will endeavor humble submission for your will to be done. Please soften my heart and make me mindful of your call and gift in my life. I ask you this, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “Carry the cross patiently, and with perfect submission; and in the end it shall carry you.” – Thomas A’ Kempis
Lenten Discipline – Go to http://www.prudencetrue.com/images/TheLadderofDivineAscent.pdf and read Step 4 on Obedience making notes on how you fare in this discipline..
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