Lenten Meditations: Thursday 14 March 2024
| Thu Mar 14 |
am 69 pm: 73 |
Exodus 1:6-22 | 1 Cor 12:12-26 | Mark 8:27-9:1 |
FOURTH THURSDAY OF LENT – St Theognostus, Metropolitan of Kyiv,1353
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: The Churches of the Eastern Rites remember today, St Theognostus, Metropolitan of Kyiv. He was born in Greece and succeeded St Peter of Kyiv as Metropolitan of that city. Some of his enemies among his flock denounced him to the Mongol ruler because of his dedication and inability to be swayed by politics. They said he had paid no tribute to obtain his position — as was often done by the clergy. Summoned before the Mongol prince and asked about this, he answered ‘Christ our God bought His Church from the unbelievers with His precious Blood. For what do we pay tribute to unbelievers? ‘ Returning home unharmed, he gave devout pastoral oversight to the Church for twenty -five more years and passed on this day in 1353
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: We consider the continuing story in the Old Testament because it resonates so closely with the steps of our own Lenten journey. The Israelites remained in Egypt after Joseph’s death. Proving again none of us likes changes, they stay put but have become quite populous, and Pharaoh is threatened by their growing numbers. He responds in a typically worldly fashion: employ brute force and try to contain them by violent oppression. So, the stage is being set for God’s plan to deliver his people. As God delivered his people in Egypt he seeks to do that for us, but we must be willing to be led which is not always our first inclination.
It is interesting to note that the sons of Israel and their families numbered 70 (v. 5) when they arrived in Egypt, a mere clan. But when the “sons of Israel” leave Egypt, they do so as a great nation with a vision and a leader! We are given a glimpse of the continuity of God’s plan by the fact that the promises and purposes of God commenced in the Book of Genesis will be continued in the Book of Exodus. However, as we see in these books human beings do try to interfere with God’s plan and God does work through such circumstances ( even slavery and oppression in this case) to demonstrate his power. The continuity of God is a good lesson for us to remember when faced with adversity because God does prevail.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Almighty and Great God, accept our gratitude for your boundless mercy towards us. Hear the supplication of our afflicted hearts for the land and people of Ukraine, as they confront foreign aggression and invasion. Open the eyes of those who have been overtaken by a spirit of deception and violence, that they are horrified by their works. Grant victory over the powers of evil that have arisen and bless Ukraine with your gifts of liberty, peace, tranquility, and good fortune.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “ Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.” -St. Augustine of Hippo
Lenten Lyrics: The Ukrainian Lenten Hymn
Lenten Discipline – Mindful of the Metropolitan of Kyiv commemorated, highlighting the historic crises and struggles in Ukraine we remember to pray for that country today and assist where we can in the giving of alms. Consider touching base with the following ministry… https://missioneurasia.org/icare-refugee-assistance-program-ukraine . They have been doing God’s work for almost half a century in that region.
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