Lenten Meditations: Thursday 21 March 2024

Mar 21, 2024 by Jill

FIFTH THURSDAY  OF LENT – St. Edna, Monk and Abbot of the Aran Islands, 590

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Enda was born in the sixth century to the Oriel of Ulster, son of Conall Derg of Ergall, to whose principality he succeeded upon his death. It was the pious exhortations of sister the Abbess that compelled him to leave the world and embrace the monastic life.

After a pilgrimage to Rome, he returned to Ireland, establishing communities in Drogheda and along the Boyne Valley. King Oengus of Munster, granted of the wild and barren isle of Aran in the Bay of Galway, where he founded the famous Monastery of Killarney. Such was the fame acquired by this monastery that he is known as the Father of Irish Monasticism and the island was called “Aran of the Saints” as many of the great Irish saints had some connection with Aran and St. Enda: St. Brendan the Voyager, St. Kiaran of Clonmacnoise, St. Columba of Iona, St. Finnian of Clonard and others. So numerous were the pilgrims to Aran that St. Columba called it “The Rome of Pilgrims”. He died in 590.

BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: We meet in the Gospel today a man who has a deep, abiding concern about what will happen to him when he dies. He is desperate to know. Perhaps he knows he is ill, and the question is more acute. It could be he is being reflective because of the death of a close friend. Something has turned the key for him to ponder and ask Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Of course, we know the story well, he can’t release his possessions because his possessions have him. In the modern era that may not be the issues about possessions, but it might be about wealth and power. Instead of asking the eternal questions could it be that today those with wealth and power are not asking what will happen when I die but rather how do I beat death with all the money and technology available to me? Money and technology can accomplish many things,  but it cannot beat death or buy a never-ending life. Eternal life remains out of reach on our efforts for everyone, no matter how much money and power one might have. Ultimately, we are all the same. We are all mortal. None of us will live forever. Not without Jesus. And so, everyone should be able to relate to the man in today’s gospel reading, who has many possessions, but knows that they will not lead to eternal life. What do we know about what we have and prioritize. Are they obstacles to union with God or aids to union with God?

PRAYER OF THE DAY O God, who called your servant Edna to witness the faith as a monastic so witness and advance your heavenly kingdom, and gave him zeal for your Church and love of knowledge: Mercifully grant that we who commemorate him this day may be fruitful in faithful witness, and attain to the glorious crown of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

ANCIENT WORDS/PRESENT GRACE: ” The mind is lulled to sleep by luxury, but it is strengthened by frugality.” ~ Minucius Felix Octavius, Church Apologist, 230 AD

Lenten Lyrics: A Rich Young Man (Simple Living) by Keith and Kristin Getty

Lenten Discipline –  Living a faithful Gospel witness can be lonely, especially when family and friends do not understand its value and are not supportive. Reach out to a person you know who has been marginalized because they are poor on some level. Offer encouragement of the Gospel and perhaps share a meal with them and discuss the journey.

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