Anglican Mainstream

SECOND WEEK OF LENT

am: 24, 29 pm:  8, 84 Gen 15: 5-12, 17-18 Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 9:28b-36

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: The Second Sunday of Lent Continues the liturgical

trajectory for the Sacraments of Initiation as today’s readings focus on turning toward

Jesus Christ. Baptismal Catechesis reminds us that having been baptized we are to offer

ourselves to God in Christ—a sacrifice of our selves reinforced in the liturgy in this

season. The lessons again this week remind us that the Old Testament readings during

Lent concern the history of salvation. The selections from the New Testament

complement the gospel and Old Testament readings and provide a connection between

them.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY: In this difficult text, Jesus explores with us the difficult

question of who’s in and who’s out, whose name God knows and who is a stranger to

God. He leaves us limping toward a Jerusalem he can barely tolerate, wondering

whether God knows our names. Who we are is only one part of this image from the

Gospel. The other is who and what do we bring to enter the Kingdom. Jesus tells his

hearers that they must strain to get through that door. It won't be easy — perhaps from

the narrowness of the doorway (you have to lose a few pounds to get through) or from

the crush of people trying to get in through single door. Whatever the cause, getting in

won't be easy, but we are to make every effort, strain, and struggle to get in.

PRAYER OF THE DAY: O Gracious God, we ask you to open our hearts to the voice of

your Holy Word and free us from the original darkness that shadows our vision.

Restore our sight that we may look upon your Son who calls us to repentance and a

change of heart, for he lives and reigns with you for ever and ever. Amen

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “God in His infinite goodness sometimes sees fit

to test our courage and love by depriving us of the things which it seems to us would be

advantageous to our souls; and if He finds us earnest in their pursuit, yet humble,

tranquil and resigned to do without them if He wishes us to, He will give us more

blessings than we should have had in the possession of what we craved. -– St. Philip

Neri

2

LENTEN DISCIPLINE – Most of us know at least one person or family who's lost much during

the current economic upheavals. Think a moment about some way, small or large, in

which you can lend a servant-hand to them. Then, do it.

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