Lenten Meditations: Wednesday 13 March 2024
| Wed Mar 13 |
am: 101, 109 pm: 119:121-144 |
Gen 50:15-26 | 1 Cor 12:1-11 | Mark 8:11-26 |
FOURTH WEDNESDAY IN LENT – St. Gerald, Bishop of Mayo, 731
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: St. Gerald Bishop of Mayo, was an English monk who came to Ireland after the Synod of Whitby and settled in Innisboffin, in 668. Gerald’s circumstances remind us of today’s church as dissensions arose, after a time, between the Irish and the English monks, and St. Colman the Abbot decided to found a separate monastery for the thirty English monks so that they may have safe practice of the faith given the difference between the Celtic and Saxon expressions of the faith. Thus, arose the Abbey of Mayo. St. Bede wrote: “This monastery occupied by English monks contained an exemplary body who gathered there from England and lived after the manner of the church fathers. As Anglicanism continues to struggle with how to live out its orthodox expressions of common life, perhaps St. Gerald and his followers can offer some insight from their example.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: This passage from Genesis reminds us of the importance of forgiveness and graciousness as we see the culmination of the story of Joseph and his brothers. Many who read this story wonder how Joseph could be willing to help so many people and not give everything of his up entirely. Joseph is a striking figure really as he managed his role in Pharaoh’s court to help strangers and his family. He decided early on, despite the great injustices done to him, who he was and how he was going to live his life. What values was he going to uphold? All of us can relate on some level to the images of betrayal and forgiveness in this story. The key is how we who are ordinary people can live into extraordinary opportunities of grace. Joseph, like us, was an ordinary person, but he was able to live in extraordinary moments in his life by being kind and caring to others, rather than being vengeful.
Joseph’s model of forgiveness goes to the heart of the idea of reconciliation. These final chapters of this story demonstrate that Joseph longed to be reconciled to his brothers. He talked with them in Egypt, he brought them from Canaan, and provided for all their needs, even after their father died, he continued to provide for them and love them (even though they doubted it). He did not allow his brother’s sins to cripple their relationship. No, he forgave them and was reconciled with them. Have we allowed the sins of others to cripple our relationships?
PRAYER OF THE DAY: O Lord, we pray this day, Help us live out our lives rooted in faith, hope, and love; along with a spirit of justice. Enkindle in our hearts a renewed sense of gratitude for all those who witness the faith. And may we be so inspired to share in that gift of holiness and righteousness, so that we may do what is good and pleasing in your sight. Amen
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “The three things that most displease God are a mouth that hates people, a heart harboring resentment, and confidence in wealth. ~ St. Ita
Lenten Lyrics: Three Irish Hymns by The Palestrina Choir of St Mary’s, Dublin https://youtu.be/2alb9lOi-xc?si=ZPSZ0hR6qs1Q-oSX
Lenten Discipline Seek out a person you are in enmity with and have been with for a long time. Write them a note seeking forgiveness; invite them to a time of fellowship and forgiveness over a meal perhaps. Ask them how you have hurt them and seek out a covenant on how to make reparation.
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