Anglican Mainstream

Saturday March 21  Psalm   am: 87, 90  pm: 136    Jere 11:1-8, 14-20    1 Thess 4:13-17    John 5:24-30

THIRD SATURDAY OF LENT – Feast of  St James the Confessor Bishop of Catania ( 7th Cent)

James commemorated on the Byzantine calendar as  Bishop and Confessor,was inclined toward the ascetic life from his early years. St James left the world and entered the Studite monastery, where he was tonsured. He led a strict life, full of works, fasting and prayer. Pious and well-versed in Holy Scripture, St James was elevated to the bishop’s throne of Catania (Sicily). During the reign of the iconoclast emperor Constantine V Copronymos (741-775), St James was repeatedly urged not to venerate the holy icons. They exhausted him in prison, starved him, and beat him, but he bravely endured all these torments. St James died in exile.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY : When we consider the life of a saint who is known as a confessor it does cause us to hear the lessons of the feast day a bit differently. At the very least we should consider that the the Lenten challenge is for all of su to consider making a very thorough exmaination of consicence and a confession, either personal or sacramental as we seek to authentically call upon God’s mercy for my own offenses. We need to be careful in such a season as this not to measure our own brokenness and seinfulness in comparison to others who seem a whole lot worse as to how they conduct their lives. Examination of Conscience and confession  is an opportunity, a time to draw closer to God’s mercy for me, to recognize and appreciate God’s disposition to forgive and offer relief from suffering due to my sins. A season of repentence is to call one to humility and God in turn is mindful of us. This is  difficult for us but all the more reasons to consider such disciplines . Let us remember the words of Ash Wednesday, God wants a contrite heart that is truly penitent.

PRAYER OF THE DAY : God of All of Mercy and Grace, give me the grace to  open my heart more fully to the mysteries of the movement of your son. Help me to be humble in this journey and remember that any mercy and compassion I feel is a gift from you. Amen.

LENTEN DISCIPLINE – Give thanks to God for both the challenges and choices you have in your life. Ask God’s spirit to fill all with compassion, insight and concern when making personal decisions which may affect the lives of others.
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