Lenten Meditations: Saturday 29 February
Psalm: am: 30, 32 pm: 42, 43
Old Testament: Eze 18:1-4, 25-32
Epistle: Phil 4:1-9
Gospel: John 17:9-19
Saturday after Ash Wednesday – St. John Cassian, Priest 435
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY : John Cassian was a 5th century monastic saint known for his writings on the monastic life His feast day in the Orthodox Church is February 29 (celebrated on February 28 in non-leap years). He occupies an important place among ascetic writers and theologians of the patristic age. Like Evagrius of Pontus in the East, Cassian systematized and popularized Eastern asceticism in the West. His ascetic writings made a considerable influence on the development of Western ascetic tradition. In this works, Cassian managed to combine the experience of Eastern Christian and Western Christian asceticism in the era of its development and establishment in the later 4th – early 5th century. His teaching about the order of monastic life, ascetic work and mystical contemplation gained him enduring glory in subsequent centuries.
MEDITATION OF THE DAY: When one reads the Gospel of John as appointed today, it seems very clear that Jesus wanted his friends to know the joy he experienced. “I have said these things,” he told them, “so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11) That is remarkable, given the circumstances. First, that facing his own death, he could talk about joy. Second, that in that terrible situation he could wish his joy for his friends.
When most of us are troubled by something of this world , it effects and affects our day and worldview typically. The challenge of the Christian life is not to be weighed down by the things that may limit us but to go beyond ourselves and see grace abounding in all around us with the hope of rejoicing wholeheartedly.
PRAYER OF THE DAY : Oh my God, You know my weakness and failings, and that without Your help I can accomplish nothing for the good of souls, my own and others’. Grant me, therefore, the help of Your grace. Grant it according to my particular needs this day. Enable me to see the task You will set before me in the daily routine of my life, and help me work hard at my appointed tasks. Teach me to bear patiently all the trials of suffering or failure that may come to me today. Amen
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “To think ourselves imperfect, and others perfect—- that is happiness. That creatures recognize we are without virtue takes nothing from us, makes us no poorer; it is they who by this lose interior joy; for there is nothing sweeter than to think well of our neighbor”.-Saint Therese of Lisieux
LENTEN DISCIPLINE – Are you looking for a chance to discover the joy of Christian giving this Lent . The Mutunga Challenge is trying to turn a tragic statistic (1 BILLION people live on a dollar a day or less) into a tool for raising awareness, for building a sense of community with the poor, and for raising funds for micro-credit development. The idea is that a household lives on a food budget of $2.00 a day, per person for a week. The money saved is then donated to The Mutunga Partnership . This idea doesn’t require finding extra cash – just a temporary change in lifestyle. It is a spiritual disciplne and an invitation to know joy. Consider it at http://www.mutunga.com/2dollarchallenge.html
Related Posts
Tags
Share This
