SEEDS OF HOPE - THE ANGLICAN UNION LENTEN PILGRIMAGE 2026

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
SATURDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT
PSALMS: Morning 87, 90 - Evening 136
St Theognostus, Metropolitan of Kyiv,1353
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: The Churches of the Eastern Rites remember today St Theognostus, Metropolitan of Kiev. He was born in Greece and succeeded St Peter of Kyiv 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 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 pay tribute to unbelievers? ' Returning home unharmed, he gave devout pastoral oversight to the Church for twenty -five more years and passed on this day in 1353.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: The apostle Paul looks back at Israel’s journey through the wilderness, reminding the Corinthian believers that “all these things happened to them as examples.” Their triumphs—crossing the sea, eating the manna, drinking the wine—were followed by repeated warnings, idolatry, sexual immorality, and ultimately, judgment. Yet Paul concludes with a striking promise: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (10:13). In this passage the Apostle Paul calls us to recognize our temptations as the “common” nature of temptation reminds us that our struggles are not unique; they are part of the human story. This should compel us to seek God’s grace in prayer, fasting, and sacramental confession, especially when the desert feels overwhelming.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Lord, as we walk this desert road, help us see your past mercies, admit our present temptations, and rely on the way of escape you provide. Strengthen our resolve that we may emerge from this season renewed in the hope of resurrection. Amen.
LENTEN DISCIPLINE – Forgive one who has betrayed you and ask forgiveness from one you have betrayed.
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – You Belong by Wendall Kimbrough
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1SvJ48LQ6g

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
FRIDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT
PSALMS: Morning 91, 22 - Evening 88
Gen 47:1-26 
1 Cor 9:16-27           
Mark 6:47-56
 St. Gerald, Bishop of May, 731
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY:   St. Gerald Bishop of Mayo was an English monk who died on this day in who came to Ireland after the Synod of Whitby and settled in Innisboffin, in 668. Gerald’s circumstances remind us of today’s church as dissensions arose, after a time, between the Irish and the English monks, and St. Colman the Abbot decided to found a separate monastery for the thirty English monks so that they may have safe practice of the faith, given the difference between the Celtic and Saxon expressions of the faith.  St. Gerald of Mayo was an abbot renowned for three hallmarks of his monastic life:
Hospitality – the monastery of Mayo was a refuge for travelers, the poor, and the sick.
Simplicity & Manual Labor – monks worked the fields, tended livestock, and lived with only what they needed.
Contemplative Prayer – Gerald emphasized the “office of the heart,” encouraging constant awareness of God’s presence.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY:  The text of today’s Gospel presents three different dynamics in Jesus ministry: a) Jesus goes to the mountain alone to pray, b) he walks on the water, goes toward the disciples who are struggling against the waves of the sea,  c) the people look for Jesus so that he can cure their sick. This may be an excellent passage to consider on Friday in Lent for all of us in ministry.  
The fruits of ministry are often inextricably linked to the demands of ministry. If one takes prayer seriously and intently, you will find yourself under the banner of God’s Grace, and as a result, people will seek your prayers and or your participation in the changes, chances, and hurts of this life. While we marvel at Jesus in this story, he is simply being the person for others, which is what we are all called to be based on a prayerful life balanced by the gifts we have been given. Does my Lent reference that at this point in the journey?
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Father, may our Lenten journey in this third week prepare us to embrace the paschal mystery and to proclaim your salvation with contrite and joyful hearts. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever.  Amen
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “To pray, I think, does not mean to think about God in contrast to thinking about other things, or to spend time with God instead of spending time with other people. Rather, it means to think and live in the presence of God. – Henri Nouwen
LENTEN DISCIPLINE: On this Friday of Lent, abstain from one luxury item (e.g., coffee, dessert, streaming, social media) and replace it with one act of service and then record in your journal how the sacrifice sharpened your awareness of dependence on God and others.
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – Lord I Need You by Matt Maher  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skAdCyew2B8
 

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT
PSALMS: Morning 42, 43  -  Evening 85, 86
Gen 46:1-7, 28-34      
1 Cor 9:1-15   
Mark 6:30-46
- Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, 604
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Gregory the Great’s influence on the forms of public worship throughout Western Europe was enormous. He founded a school for the training of church musicians, and Gregorian chant (plainchant) is named for him. The schedule of Scripture readings for the various Sundays of the year, and the accompanying prayers (many of them written by him), in use throughout most of Western Christendom for the next thirteen centuries is largely due to his passion for organization. His treatise, On Pastoral Care, while not a work of creative imagination, shows a dedication to duty and an understanding of what is required of a minister in charge of a Christian congregation. His sermons are still readable today, and it is not without reason that he is accounted (along with Ambrose, Jerome, and Augustine of Hippo) as one of the Four Latin Doctors (Teachers) of the ancient Church.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY:  In todays Hospel from Mark, Jesus invites his weary disciples to “come away by yourselves to a solitary place.” Their fatigue mirrors our own Lenten weariness—long hours of prayer, fasting, and self-examination can leave us longing for rest. Yet, instead of granting a quiet retreat, Jesus sends them out to feed the crowd, showing that true renewal comes not from withdrawing alone but from compassionate service.
When the disciples launch the boat, a storm rises. The disciples panic, but Jesus walks on the water, calming the wind and waves. In Lent we, too, encounter inner storms—doubt, temptation, the weight of our own sin. Christ’s presence on the turbulent sea reminds us that He meets us in the midst of our struggles, offering peace that surpasses circumstance.
Finally, after feeding the five‑thousand, Jesus withdraws again to pray alone. Even the Son of God models the rhythm of service and solitude, demonstrating that our Lenten journey is a balance: serve the hungry, trust the Savior in the storm, and return to prayerful communion with Him. 
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Almighty and merciful God, who raised Gregory of Rome to be a servant of the servants of God, and inspired him to send missionaries to preach the Gospel to the English people: Preserve in your Church the catholic and apostolic faith, they taught, that your people, being fruitful in every good work, may receive the crown of glory that never fades away; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
LENTEN DISCIPLINE –  Meditate on God’s word through the use of Gregorian chant. Let the music and the words wash over your soul.
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – Hail O Head So Bruised  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV8bCIQ9c_g

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT
PSALMS: Morning 119:105-128  -  Evening 91, 93
Gen 45:16-28 
1 Cor 8:1-13   
Mark 6:13-29
 
 St. Constantine of Scotland, Martyr,  576,
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Today, we remember St. Constantine, born in 520, and in 537 St. Constantine of Scotland was a 6th-century British king—likely of Dumnonia (Cornwall) or Strathclyde—who abdicated his throne to become a monk, missionary to the Picts, and abbot in Govan. Regarded as Scotland's first martyr, he was slain by pirates in Kintyre while preaching.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY:  The closing chapter of Joseph’s story (Genesis 45) offers a vivid portrait of God’s faithful provision. When Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers, he does not attribute the reunion to his own cleverness or to the circumstances of famine; he declares, “It was God who sent me ahead of you to preserve life”. In our own fast‑paced culture, where instant gratification is the norm, waiting on God the way Joseph and his brothers did is counter‑cultural. We are tempted to equate “getting what we want now” with merit, forgetting that every blessing is ultimately a gift of grace. The feast of St. Constantine reminds us of this truth. Like Joseph, Constantine endured years of trial before receiving the vision that led him to embrace the faith. His patient waiting became the conduit for God’s greater work. When we learn to wait on the Lord with humble expectation—just as St. Constantine did—we open ourselves to the fuller measure of God’s provision, discovering that every blessing is not earned by merit but freely given by grace.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: God of grace, rouse up within your people fear of the Lord, and call us to remember this holy season, knowing that you will come in the clouds in great power and majesty to judge the living and the dead. May we respond to God's claim on us with due fear and love so that, as often as God disturbs the sky, yet spares us still, we should implore God's mercy, examine the innermost recesses of our hearts, and purge our sins all for the love of you. Amen -
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" — Psalm 116:15
LENTEN DISCIPLINE –  Identify a strained relationship or unresolved guilt. Reach out with a brief, sincere apology or a note of appreciation. Pray with them for God’s healing in the background.
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – O God of Truth Whose Living Word  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_5t2K6T2PQ

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
TUESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT
PSALMS: Morning 78:1-38  -  Evening 78:40-72
Gen 45:1-15
1 Cor 7:32-40        
Mark 6:1-13
Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, 320
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: The martyrdom of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste is a powerful lesson in Christian faith, perseverance, sacrifice, and friendship. 40 soldiers of the Roman army possessed sincere faith in Jesus Christ. When it was realized that they would not deny their belief in the Lord, they were brought to trial before their commander, who threatened to have them discharged from the military dishonorably. One of the soldiers responded: "Do not take only our military status, but also our bodies; nothing is dearer or of greater honor to us than Christ our God." 
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: Psalm 78 is a song of remembrance. It retells the mighty deeds of the Lord—how He split the sea, drew water from a rock, sent streams down cliffs, and guided Israel through a barren wilderness. Each miracle was a sign of the covenant God made with His people, a tangible reminder of His steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm 78 recounts how Israel repeatedly turned away, yet God remained patient, delivering them again and again. In Lent, we are called to confront our own wanderings; to own the times we have ignored God’s voice, and to trust that His mercy is ever‑present. The covenant is active, not static. The Israelites were not merely reminded of past miracles; they were urged to obey the Law that flowed from the covenant. Likewise, Lent asks us to translate gratitude into action—through acts of charity, honest confession, and a renewed commitment to live out the Gospel. As we walk the remaining weeks of Lent toward the Great Vigil of Easter, this ancient psalm invites us to pause and see the Lenten journey reflected in those same acts of divine rescue.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Almighty God, who in wondrous deeds has shown Your steadfast love—splitting the sea, drawing water from the rock, and guiding Your people through the desert—grant us, this Lenten season, the eyes to perceive Your providential care and the hearts to respond in faithful obedience. May the memory of Your mighty works stir within us a deeper trust in the covenant of grace, that we might turn from our wandering ways, drink deeply of the living water You provide, and walk forward toward the glorious hope of the Resurrection. Through Christ our Lord, who fulfills all promises, we pray. Amen
 
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “Take not only our military insignia, but also our lives, since nothing is more precious to us than Christ God."- The Martyrs of Sebaste
LENTEN DISCIPLINE:  As you meditate on Psalm 78 today, let the ancient story of God’s covenant awaken a fresh awareness of His presence in your own desert. Ask yourself:
What “rock” am I leaning on today, and how can I trust God to bring forth fresh water?
Which “streams” of grace have I allowed to flow into my life, and where have I built walls that block them?
How can I respond to God’s enduring love with concrete acts of repentance and service?
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – Stand in Faith by Danny Gokey  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIREaGBN4Jw

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
MONDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT
PSALMS: Morning 80 - Evening 77, 79
Gen 44:18-34        
1 Cor 7:25-31        
Mark 5:21-43
 
 – Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, 394
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Today, we remember Gregory of Nyssa, who, with his brother Basil the Great, and Basil's best friend Gregory of Nazianzus, are known collectively as the Cappadocian Fathers. They were a major force in the triumph of the Athanasian position at the Council of Constantinople in 381. A professor of rhetoric, he was persuaded to devote his learning and efforts to the Church. By then married, Gregory went on to study for the priesthood and become ordained (this at a time when celibacy was not a matter of law for priests). He was elected Bishop of Nyssa (in Lower Armenia) in 372, a period of great tension over the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ. Briefly arrested after being falsely accused of embezzling Church funds, Gregory was restored to his see in 378, an act met with great joy by his people. He wrote with great effectiveness against Arianism and other questionable doctrines, gaining a reputation as a defender of orthodoxy. He was sent on missions to counter other heresies and held a position of prominence at the Council of Constantinople.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: Consider these words from  Psalm 80 appointed for this morning  " Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved...." give us life, and we will call on your name." It is worthy of our reflection in Lent especially because it reminds us that God is always ready to "return" to his people, but his people must also "return" to him in fidelity. If we turn away from sin, the Lord will be moved:  this is the Psalmist's conviction and one that should find some resonance in our own hearts as we make our Lenten Journey. Known as the Psalm of the corrupt vine, this is a metaphor of Israel as a vine that is referred to by Isaiah and Jeremiah (Isaiah 5:1-2, Jeremiah 2:21), which is a helpful background that no doubt was the spiritual framework for Jesus declaration in John 15:1. In this case, the corrupt vine had brought forth a sufficient crop of "wild grapes" that were deviant. The key idea for Israel and for us is that God will turn to Israel when Israel turns to God. The great change so desperately needed is not in the attitude of God, but in that of the degenerate vine with its wild grapes, and no less is true of us! 
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Almighty God, who has revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace that, like your bishop Gregory of Nyssa, we may continue steadfast in the confession of this faith, and constant in our worship of you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; who live and reign for ever and ever.  Amen.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “If we truly think of Christ as our source of holiness, we shall refrain from anything wicked or impure in thought or act and thus show ourselves to be worthy bearers of his name. For the quality of holiness is shown not by what we say but by what we do in life.” -― Gregory of Nyssa
LENTEN DISCIPLINE – Seek out a lunch or coffee today with a person from a different Christian tradition and ask to pray together for unity. Ask them about the core values of the faith and find links to yours.
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – Holiness by Sarah Hart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu-TFOASbds
 

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
PSALMS: Morning 93, 96 - Evening 34
Gen 44:1-17
Rom 8:1-10
John 5:25-29
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY:  The third Sunday of Lent sits midway between Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday, serving as a bridge between the initial penitential tone of the season and the impending passion narrative. It reminds all Christians that conversion is an ongoing, communal process, not merely a private act. By integrating the Scrutinies into the public worship of the day, the Church visibly demonstrates that the journey to baptism is both personal and ecclesial. This week deepens the formation of the Elect—candidates preparing for baptism—through the three‑week series of Scrutinies, which are intense periods of prayer, reflection, and discernment. The third Sunday of Lent offers a rich tapestry of liturgical actions—scrutinies, kneeling, and silent prayer—that together deepen the Elect’s preparation for baptism while inviting the entire community to renew its own commitment to repentance and love of God. This day thus embodies the heart of Lent: a collective turning toward Christ, marked by honest self‑examination and hopeful anticipation of the resurrection.
 
 BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: The Apostle Paul begins his letter to the Romans with a powerful declaration: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” From this single sentence, he draws a striking picture of two opposing forces that shape every believer’s life. On one side stands the “law of sin and death,” the inherited condition that drags humanity into selfishness, brokenness, and ultimately physical death. On the other side shines the liberating work of the Holy Spirit, who, through Christ, has broken those chains and offers a new life that bears fruit for God’s kingdom. Paul reminds us that, because the Spirit dwells within us, our minds can be governed by life rather than by flesh. Yet he does not pretend the struggle disappears; the flesh still wages war against the Spirit, tempting us to act contrary to what we know is right. The assurance of “no condemnation” becomes the firm ground from which we can confidently pursue holiness, while the lingering pull of sin calls us to stay vigilant. During Lent, this tension invites us to rest in grace, recognize the whisper of the old law, and deliberately walk in step with the Spirit—cultivating love, joy, peace, and the other fruits of the Holy Ghost. In this way, the third Sunday of Lent points us toward a deeper conversion: not merely a passive acceptance of forgiveness, but an active, Spirit-guided journey toward the righteousness that Christ has already secured for us.
PRAYER OF THE DAY:  Lord, thank you for the freedom we have in Christ, for the promise that no condemnation holds us back. Help us to recognize the lingering pull of the “law of sin and death,” and grant us the Spirit’s strength to choose life each moment. May this Lent be a time when our hearts are continually turned toward you, producing fruit that glorifies your kingdom. Amen
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “To repent is not to look downwards at my own shortcomings, but upwards at God’s Love. It is not to look backwards with self-reproach but forward with trustfulness. It is to see not what I have failed to be, but what by the Grace of Christ I might yet become.”-Saint John Climacus.
LENTEN DISCIPLINE – To embrace that call to renewal in the Spirit, where we can celebrate that there is no condemnation in Christ, and embrace the idea of self-examination like those seeking baptism today are doing through the scrutines. Use the very scrutinies from the liturgy today as a discipline to get to a deeper place of renewal. Go to https://www.catholicnh.org/assets/Documents/Worship/Our-Faith/RCIA/ThirdScrutiny.pdf

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
SATURDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT
PSALMS: Morning 75, 76 - Evening 23, 27
 
Perpetua & her Companions, Martyrs at Carthage, 292
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Vibia Perpetua was a young, married noblewoman of Carthage, and Felicity was her personal slave. Saturas was possibly a priest, and there were two other men, Saturninus and Revocatus, the latter also a slave. Felicity was pregnant. It seems most of them were catechumens when arrested and only baptized later in prison. They were condemned as Christians by the Roman authorities and dispatched to the public arena, there to be mauled by wild animals. They all survived and were then taken to be executed by the sword. Before this, they all exchanged the Kiss of Peace and affirmed their faith in Christ, the Son of God.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: As we walk the Lenten path, the world can feel dim—our routines grow heavy, doubts whisper louder. Psalm 27 reminds us that God’s light pierces even the darkest valleys, which certainly Saint Perpetua had a sense of. Lent invites us to seek God’s presence more intently—through prayer, Scripture, silence, or the simple act of pausing in the day. It is a time to consider the season as one of repentance, meant to be a grim fast but a confident waiting, trusting that God’s promises endure, even when our plans falter.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Lord, you are my light and salvation. In this Lenten journey, help me to seek your presence, to trust your promises, and to walk boldly in the confidence that you are my stronghold. May the darkness of my habits be replaced by the radiance of your love. Amen..
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE “‘The believing have, in love, the character of God the Father by Jesus Christ, by whom, if we are not in readiness to die into his suffering, his life is not in us. – St. Ignatius of Antioch, (from the Letter to the Magnesians 5)
LENTEN DISCIPLINE – Reflect on the challenges and choices you have in your life to express a sincere and truthful celebration of the Gospel. Keep a journal of when you have been sincere in the faith and perhaps the times you may have been disingenuous about your faith and practice. Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill you with the conviction to bear witness to your baptism just as St. Perpetual and her companions did without compromise.
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – Hymn for St. Perpetua by K.L. Cooper https://youtu.be/BL1uJquXYw8?si=_Vo273u8qDaG1y8L

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT
PSALMS: Morning 69 - Evening 73
Gen 43:1-15
1 Cor 7:1-9
Mark 4:35-41
42 Martyrs of Amorion in Phrygia (845)
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: The story of these Martyrs is being played out again as we in the Church stand shocked over the acts of ISIS towards the Christian Community in Syria and Iraq. The recent slaying of the Egyptian Christians should not only break our hearts but compel us, as these disciples who we remember this day were compelled. They were taken captive when Amorion in Phrygia fell to the Muslims in 838, during the reign of Emperor Theophilus. Many of them were officers, and because of their status and reputation, their captors, rather than kill them, attempted to convert them to Islam. The forty-two were kept in a miserable dungeon in Syria, where they were alternately promised the highest honors and privileges if they would convert and threatened with the most horrible consequences if they refused. This continued for seven full years, but none would deny his faith in Christ. Finally, unable to shake their faith, their captors beheaded them all in 845.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: In today’s Gospel, Mark describes in detail how Jesus calms a rough sea and windy storm to the astonishment of his disciples. The Sea of Galilee is situated in a basin surrounded by mountains, where violent storms are not uncommon. It was evening, and Jesus wanted to leave Galilee and go to the region of the Gerasenes. Mark describes an exhausted and sleeping Jesus on a cushion in the back of the boat. Other boats were close by, as well as his disciples. As the storm threatened them, they awoke Jesus and said, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up and said, "Quiet, Be Still!" "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" This was one of many times that Jesus' authority was confirmed. He not only could perform miracles on people, but also over nature. Like the disciples, we may have times in our lives that feel like “storms.” Problems can be like storms, coming in and taking away our peace. But Jesus is with us in these storms, just like He was with the disciples in the boat. We don’t need to panic or be afraid.
While God does not magically remove every one of our problems, He does promise to be with us through them and to provide strength and help. This Lent, perhaps one of the challenges for us as a people is that we may not trust Jesus completely. We may become afraid and panic in moments of fear. Can we pursue the disciplines of prayer and study along with some spiritual direction to attain that calmness and trust?
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Gracious God, these servants of yours at Phrygia remembered this day did so contend on earth for Christ's glory, and were shown forth as godly crown-bearing Martyrs, have been vouchsafed to dwell with you in Heaven joyously. Since you have broken all the snares of the enemy's cunning by your sufferings and the blood of your tortures and wounding, give us the grace as you gave them at Phrygia the strength and courage to face the suffering for the Gospel so that we may honor you. Amen
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “The early church was married to poverty, prisons, and persecutions. Today, the church is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity. –Leonard Ravenhill
LENTEN DISCIPLINE – Today, martyrdom abounds throughout the earth. Pray for martyrs in the world by using this prayer guide at https://www.persecution.com/globalprayerguide/
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – Ancient Words by Michael W. Smith https://youtu.be/3vmTkXNpwzs?si=gLxME6tCVD3WxD5Q

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
THURSDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT
 
PSALMS: Morning 70, 71 Evening 74
Gen 42:29-38
1 Cor 6:12-30
Mark 4:21-34
 
St. Ciaran of Saigher, Monk and Bishop, 4th Century
LITURGICAL THEME OF THE DAY: Today in the west, we mark the date for St. Ciaran, a 4th-century saint from the south of County Cork. He left Ireland before the arrival of St. Patrick. Already a Christian and of royal Ulster blood, he had determined to study for the Church; hence, he secured an education at Tours and Rome. On his return from France, he built himself a little cell in the woods of Upper Ossory. He was ordained a bishop, and on his homeward journey, he met St. Patrick, who instructed Ciaran  to travel until he came to a well where he should found a monastery. Patrick gave him a bell, which was not to ring until such a time as Ciaran  reached the correct well. He at last reached a well called Uaran, where he built his monastery known as Saighir-Kiaran, which is in County Offaly. His monastery flourished, and he ordained many holy men to the priesthood. He was not content to preach to the native Irish but also spent time in Cornwall, Brittany, Wales, and Scotland. The name St. Ciaran  is still remembered in many of these places with gratitude.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: These verses contain several parables that no doubt are quite familiar to us, such as hiding the lamp under a bushel basket, but perhaps the one that gets our attention is the parable of the mustard seed, which really speaks to me. Verses 30-32 of the NIV Life Application Bible read as follows: “What shall we say the Kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”
A doubter would look at those seeds and think it impossible. But part of the Christian Faith is to hold fast to the promise that the impossible is possible under the grace of God and in accord with his holy will. Such a storyline captures our imagination in secular circles, as we often cheer for the underdog in team or match play. To the doubter, the mustard seed is the underdog. To the cynic whose hope is grounded in the transitory things of this world, the promises of Christ seem inconsequential, yet they fail to see and understand that the Christian faith, while it may pale in the face of modern technology when it is lived out in true community, God does accomplish great things.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: God of peace, who gave such grace to your servant Ciaran  that whomever he met he drew to Christ: fill us, we pray, with tender sympathy and joyful faith, that we also may win others to know the love that passes knowledge; through him who is the shepherd and guardian of our souls, Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 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
Lenten Discipline – Go to the local nursery and purchase some seeds of a plant that will grow, but that will require your attention between now and Easter. Make a note in your journal as to what this experience was like and compare it to the spiritual journey.
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – Be Thou My Vision/ Slane
https://youtu.be/80MCpSMDs6E?si=QLBumunFVF_-1xfp