Anglican Mainstream

THE FOURTH THURSDAY OF LENT: St Theognostus, Metropolitan of Kiev, 1353

LITURGICAL THEME OF THE DAY:  :   Some of the churches of the eastern rites remember today St Theognostus, Metropolitan of Kiev. He was born in Greece and succeeded St Peter of Kiev as Metropolitan of that city. Some of his enemies among his own flock denounced him to the Mongol ruler because of his dedication and inability to be swayed by politics. They said he had paid the no tribute to obtain his position — as was often done by the clergy. Summoned before the Mongol prince and asked about this, he answered Christ our God bought His Church from the unbelievers with His precious Blood. For what do we now pay tribute to unbelievers?' At last he managed somehow to free himself and return home. He governed the Church for twenty-five years and entered into rest in the Lord in 1353.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY:  The Old Testament lesson today is the Divine Office reading for the feast day taken from the Orthodox calendar. The Book of Proverbs is part of the Wisdom literature and for most of us, these phrases are difficult for us to access because we see them as Christian sayings that could go in Fortune Cookies. These Proverbs like most of the wisdom literature counsels us to take a step back and look at what we say and what we do. Wisdom literature tries to compel us to ponder our speech and our actions with the idea that there are consequences.   This section reminds us that the care for other people is always going to be more important than cherishing things. This is a difficult to integrate in the most consumer oriented society in the world  but one whose time has come. e is a timely truth to ponder in this society of the upwardly mobile where the slogans "Image is everything" and "My way right away" have come to characterize the overall outlook of far too many people.

PRAYER OF THE DAY -   Gracious God, You know my weakness and failings, and that without your help I can accomplish nothing for the good of souls, my own and others’. Grant me, therefore, the help of your grace. Enable me to see that the care of people and the use of things will set before me in the opportunities of my life. May I have the grace to act as a disciple of yours would. Amen

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are..–St. Augustine of Hippo

LENTEN DISCIPLINE – Take the Proverbs appointed for today and make slips with the phrases printed. Sshare them with those who seemingly are have antipathy towards the faith.

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