Lenten Meditations: Tuesday 31 March

Mar 31, 2020 by Jill

FIFTH TUESDAY OF LENT – Saint Benjamin of Persia, Deacon and Martyr, 424

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY – The Christians in Persia had enjoyed twelve years of peace during the reign of Isdegerd, son of Sapor III, when in 420 it was disturbed by the indiscreet zeal of Abdas, a Christian Bishop who burned the Temple of Fire, the great sanctuary of the Persians. King Isdegerd threatened to destroy all the churches of the Christians unless the Bishop would rebuild it.  As Bishop Abdas refused to comply, the threat was executed; the churches were demolished, Abdas himself was put to death, and a general persecution began which lasted forty years. Isdegerd died in 421, but his son and successor, Varanes, carried on the persecution with great fury. The Christians were submitted to the cruelest tortures. Among those who suffered was St. Benjamin, a Deacon, who had been imprisoned a year for his Faith. At the end of this period, an ambassador of the Emperor of Constantinople obtained his release on condition that he would never speak to any of the courtiers about religion.

St. Benjamin, however, declared it was his duty to preach Christ and that he could not be silent. Although he had been liberated on the agreement made with the ambassador and the Persian authorities, he would not acquiesce in it, and neglected no opportunity of preaching. He was again apprehended and brought before the king. The tyrant ordered that reeds should be thrust in between his nails and his flesh and into all the tenderest parts of his body and then withdrawn. After this torture had been repeated several times, a knotted stake was inserted into his bowels to rend and tear him.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY: In such a time as this crisis, the words of Psalmist in Pslam 121 resonate loudly in the depths of our being …I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. We who believe we control our destinies and our principally self-reliant have a difficult time arriving at this place spiritually and practically. In a world where people are increasingly facing fears about the coronavirus outbreak globally, their own personal health issues in light of this pandemic, or tragic news affecting a loved one or a dear friend who has been exposed perhaps as a first responder or heath care professional….In all these cases and more Psalm 121 reminds  us that we have one clear place to  look for help. IT is the Lord God himself who understands our fears and worries, and ultimately is in control.  Let us remember that we are a people of faith, not fear.

PRAYER OF THE DAY: “ Loving God, we pray that you will guide us in this time of  suffering, lend insight to the leaders of our lands, and bless the medical professional who will offer the  means used for a cure. Give us such confidence in the power of your grace, that even when  afraid, we may put my whole trust in you; through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.” Amen.

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “A martyr is, he who has become the instrument of God, who has not lost his will in the will of God, but found it, for he has found freedom in submission to God. The martyr no longer desires anything for himself, not even the glory of martyrdom.”—-T.S. Elliot.

Lenten Discipline –  Go to http://www.prayerforiran.com , which is a website dedicated to encouraging prayer for the nation and people of Iran.  As well as highlighting special prayer needs, the site provides 40 topics for prayer to help you pray intelligently for Iran.  Simply click on one of the 40 links to take you to a page which will help you learn about the subject and guide you in praying as part of your Lenten Discipline and in honour of St. Benjamin.

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