Lenten Meditations: Saturday 23 March
| Sat Mar 23 |
am: 31 pm: 119:53-60 |
Job 42: 10-12 | Hebrews 3:12-16 | John 6:52-59 |
SECOND SATURDAY OF LENT – Gregory 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: Once again, we have a compilation of lessons on the feast of this saint from the eastern and Western church reflecting their various lectionary readings. Today we hear the words of Jesus — this time about eating his flesh and drinking his blood as the way to eternal life . Their reaction: How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Doubt amidst one of the must profound moments of faith in the life of the church. No doubt when Gregory evangelized Armenia this point of view may have come up? The step of faith is not insignificant!
Jesus is making his own claim to faith in this moment as he is foreshadowing the Last Supper. The Eucharist, when bread and wine are transformed into his flesh and blood, remains the spiritual highpoint if we can but make the step of faith ourselves. The journey and , the challenge we face is taking the step of faith in a way our old reservations and desires are pushed out of our hearts, eventually leaving room only for Jesus. We know an individual can make this act of faith because on the case of St, Gregory a whole country responded as well. .
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Almighty God, whose will it is to be glorified in your saints, and who raised up your servant Gregory the Illuminator to be a light in the world, and to preach the Gospel to the people of Armenia: Shine, we pray, in our hearts, that we also in our generation may show forth your praise, who called us out of darkness into your marvelous light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us. He assumed the worse that He might give us the better; He became poor that we through His poverty might be rich. – St. Gregory Nazianzus
Lenten Discipline – The Armenian Church has suffered mightily, yet as an ancient home of the faith it was known for sharing its resources. Go through your closet today and give away to those in need abroad at least five pieces of unused clothing Learn to live with less. Spruce up old clothing instead of buying new. Discuss what guides your clothes purchasing habits.
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