Lenten Meditations: Second Sunday in Lent

Mar 17, 2019 by Jill

SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT: St. Patrick, Missionary to Ireland, 461

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: In Ireland and in other countries and churches where Patrick is the Patron saint (e.g. Nigeria) the feast day is celebrated and typically not transferred. St Patrick was born in 387 AD and grew up near the present-day border between Scotland and England. He was taken to Ireland as a slave when he was 16. He fled back to Great Britain after six years before returning to Ireland as a missionary later in his life. He played an important role in converting Ireland’s inhabitants to Christianity. According to legend, he drove all snakes from the island, although these “snakes” probably represent a particular group of pagans or druids. Patrick died on March 17 in the year 461 AD. He is buried under Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, County Down. A little-known fact is that he was never formally canonized but as been revered as a saint since the earliest of days.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY : Human beings are a strange bunch in some respects. People or ideas that we do not understand or feel threatened by we often seek to get rid of rather than try to take the time to ask questions and reach a common understanding. If the person or idea poses a significant threat to our way of life, my position, power and influence, the limits to rid this threat are few. Truth, grace, dignity often is replaced by deceit, disrespect and disdain. Often this very behavior comes from people who we would expect more from. We see this type of scenario beginning to emerge in the Gospel today in the relationship between Jesus and the Pharisees. While at first glance today it seems, the Pharisees are taking the steps to warn their brother Jew, Jesus that Herod seeks to kill him. The reality is at this point is that the tension between Jesus and the Pharisees is the context whereby the they seek to get Jesus away from them given the threat he poses to them. Not surprisingly, Jesus stands his ground in the face of that threat; in obedience to the Father, his work will not be deterred no matter how nefarious this group gets.

In a culture that is increasingly antithetical and antagonist to the Christian faith, this stance of Jesus is not something we simply need to see simply as part of the narrative leading Jesus to his destiny.  The fact is that from both inside and outside the Christian community there are threats that are posed to an authentic witness of the Gospel. There are threats and fear of those who speak truth, God’s truth to power, human power.  Thus Lent is a time to bear up and be focused to live the faith that we profess, to face the powers in this world  that force us to consider simply saying what we believe and how we actually live out  those convictions.

PRAYER OF THE DAY:  Gracious Father, grant us simplicity of faith and a generosity of service
that gives without counting cost. May this Lent be a time that overflows with Grace from you so that we might show. The power of your love to a broken world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “Let who will scoff and revile – I will not remain silent; neither will I conceal the signs and wonders which have been shown to me by the Lord, who knew all things even before the time of this world, many years before, just as they happened. ––– St. Patrick of Ireland

Lenten Discipline:   In honor of Saint Patrick who was a great catechist, use today as an opportunity to catechize and evangelize about Christ our Lord. To assist people to understand God about the Trinity he used a shamrock

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