FIFTH TUESDAY OF LENT – Saint Alkeld , Virgin and Martyr , 800
am: Ps121,122,123
pm: 124, 125, 126
Exod 5:1-6:1
1 Cor 14:20-40
Mark 9:42-50
FIFTH TUESDAY OF LENT – Saint Alkeld , Virgin and Martyr , 800
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Akeld was a Saxon princess (and probably a nun). Apparently she was strangled by Danish pirates because of her faith during the Danish invasions. Richard III established the college of Middleham in honor of Christ, His Mother, and Saint Alkeld.
MEDITATION OF THE DAY: Today, Psalm 121 invites us to “lift up our eyes to the hills” drawing us to that place of the peace of God that passes all understanding. Historically in the Old and New Testament tradition, this Psalm has called God’s people to lift their eyes to the mountaintops to transcend the self-centeredness that comes in this broken and hurting world. We are called in these poetic words to understand that our help comes from outside ourselves, and despite difficult challenges we must shift our inward focus gaze and look beyond ourselves to the Holy One who made us and loves us. The psalm culminates in a prayer for the peace of Jerusalem and invokes upon the Holy City that messianic peace — shalom — which is God’s gracious gift. This yearning for peace is something that is ours as well. IT is a peace that is messianic and rooted in God’s justice, one we desire for the divided world we live in globally as well as in our families. We are reminded that this Jerusalem is a city of holiness, justice and social solidarity, a place of communion and peace among God’s people. Perhaps we are to endeavor to establish such in our own place and time, if we could look but beyond ourselves?
PRAYER OF THE DAY: O God, Creator of the universe, who extends your paternal concern over every creature and guides the events of history in the goal of salvation, we acknowledge your fatherly love when you break the resistance of mankind and, in a world torn by strife and discord, you make us ready for reconciliation. Renew for us the wonders of your mercy: send forth your Spirit that He may work in the intimacy of hearts that enemies may begin to dialogue, that adversaries may shake hands and peoples may encounter one another in harmony. May all commit themselves to the sincere search for true peace which will extinguish all arguments, for charity which overcomes hatred, for pardon which disarms revenge. Amen..
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “Nothing is more precious than peace, by which all war, both in heaven and earth, is brought to an end.”.”- St. Ignatius of Antioch
Lenten Discipline– When we consider the situation in the Holy Land and in Jerusalem in particular, we should approach the situation in humility and prayer, and by paying careful attention to the emphasis of Scripture on justice, love and compassion for neighbor and stranger alike, and the importance of working for peace. The following resources can help with that as you consider praying a Stations of the Cross particular designed for the peace of Jerusalem (http://www.cccb.ca/site/images/stories/pdf/good_friday_leaflet.pdf) , while the second is a resource to help you understand more about the complexities of the situation so you can pray more intentionally or even help out specifically (http://www.prayerforpeace.org.uk/prayerforreconciliation.html)