Lenten Meditations: Wednesday 24 February

Feb 24, 2021 by Jill

WEDNESDAY LENT I-  St. Matthias Apostle and  Martyr, 80 AD. Also, the first of the

EMBER DAYS

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: This feast day of the Apostle is not a universal date as other parts of the western church observe the festival in May on the 14th and the Easter Churches on August 9th. The thinking on the Spring dates is simply that in May it would be within the Easter celebrations and near the Feast of the Ascension. The argument

can be made that a Lenten observation is also appropriate, when one considers that after being chosen by lots to replace Judas the Iscariot Matthias faithfully carried out his commission, preaching the Gospel of Christ Jesus and the Good News of salvation, eventually becoming a martyr for our faith. One might say he was that he simply went about the vocation of giving witness without compromise day in and day out in very difficult hostile circumstances. Certainly, the secular culture does not commend such a witness today and that we much like Matthias must pursue holiness in adverse circumstances mindful that such holiness of life is from God but like Matthias we must

be open to such a call on our lives.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY: Nicodemus is in the place that many of us are as he like us  is sincerely desiring  to understand what Jesus was teaching.  We have voiced the very sentiments of Nicodemus  stating that  Jesus couldn’t perform the miracles he was doing, unless God was behind them.  Let us to take note , “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (or born from above).

Nicodemus didn’t know what to make of this apparent non sequitur, and it is something that many in the more mainline Christian customary are mystified about leaving people

to think surely, I cannot enter a second time into my mother’s womb to be born?  This was echoed often as we see during Great Awakening. In each generation the challenge has been to encourage people to see ‘the inseparable connection between true faith

and personal holiness. Common sense would dictate that a clear change in lifestyle that mirrors the mind of Christ is essential. People from all ends of the religious spectrum agree that merely saying you were saved but not changing your lifestyle choices would cause one to ponder the sincerity of our faith. The assurance in this story is that in spite of Nicodemus’s initial struggle, he apparently went on to believe in Jesus. He stepped forward after Jesus’ crucifixion to help take care of the body, and he was a minority voice among those Pharisees whose majority regularly resisted the credence of Jesus’ teachings. How about me? Am I willing to step up and show the difference Christ’s makes in my life ?

PRAYER OF THE DAY: Lord, please, receive what is in my heart.  Let me be inspired by your words and by the actions of your son, Jesus. Guide me to make sacrifices this Lent

in the spirit of self-denial and with greater attention to you and to those around me.

Amen

LENTEN DISCIPLINE – Do something on behalf of those who are seeking a spiritual place invite them to share in a spiritual opportunity that can result in a spiritual  renewal for you.

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “Retire at various times into the solitude of your own heart, even while outwardly engaged in discussions or transactions with others and talk to God” .- Saint Francis de Sales.

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