SEEDS OF HOPE - THE ANGLICAN UNION LENTEN PILGRIMAGE 2026

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
WEDNESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT
PSALM: Morning 72 – Evening 119:73-96
Gen 42:18-28
1 Cor 5:6-6:8
Mark 4:1-20
John & Charles Wesley, Priests, Evangelists and Missionaries (transferred) 1788, 1791
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: John Wesley was educated at Charterhouse School and Christ Church, Oxford, and after ordination to the priesthood in 1728 became for a time his father's curate. Later, John accompanied his brother Charles to America and published his first hymnbook in Charlestown in 1737. Returning to London, John became a travelling preacher and a leader in the Methodist movement, which eventually separated from the Church of England and established its own chapel. Charles Wesley was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford. He was ordained in 1735 and travelled to Georgia as secretary to the governor, James Oglethorpe, but stayed there only a few months. Returning to England, he became, like his brother John, a travelling evangelist and missionary. A prolific poet, Charles Wesley wrote more than 6000 hymns and is widely regarded as the greatest of all English hymn writers.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: At the very start of today’s epistle, Saint Paul writes, “Let us keep the festival of Easter with sincerity and truth.” That sentence can feel surprising—after all, we are only a few days into Lent. Yet Paul is already pointing us toward the depth of sincerity that the Easter celebration demands. Sincerity is more than just going through the motions; it is truly believing what we say and do. But belief alone is not enough—we must also believe the truth of the Gospel with conviction and passion. Paul’s brief admonition, though placed early in the second week of Lent, serves as a timely reminder to clarify exactly what we are moving toward in this holy season.
The two themes Paul emphasizes
Repentance – a heartfelt turning away from sin, not a burdensome duty but a gift of the Holy Spirit that awakens in us a deep yearning for purity and grace.
The Good News – the proclamation that through Christ’s death and resurrection, we are invited into new life.
Without sincere repentance, a Lenten journey is essentially a journey without a destination. What guides us on the way? The Truth, the Way, and the Life (John 14:6). When we truly repent, the pattern of a holy Lent naturally leads to an enlivened Easter, because we are imitating Christ.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Gracious Father, You have called us into this season of preparation, inviting us to walk toward the celebration of Easter with sincere hearts. Grant us the grace to believe truly what we proclaim—that Christ died and rose, that His love is the only truth that sustains us. Help us to turn away from every habit, thought, or word that keeps us from the fullness of Your grace. WE ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “All that a Christian does, even in eating and sleeping, is prayer, when it is done in simplicity, according to the order of God, without either adding to or diminishing from it by his own choice.” - John Wesley, from A Plain Account of Christian Perfection.
LENTEN DISCIPLINE – GO to http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/w/e/s/wesley_c.htm and listen to the variety of hymns from Charles Wesley and make that the music for your day. Perhaps such inspired work from morning to night may change your perspective. If you cannot go online, go to the Index of your favorite hymnal and see how many works of his are there, and use them for meditation.
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – Come Thou Font of Every Blessing by the Wesleys sing by the Crosbys https://youtu.be/R_7T5k_1-2k?si=N8g1UGaeLK2Xr2LP

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
TUESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT
PSALM: Morning  61, 62, - Evening 68
St. Chad of Litchfield, Monk, Abbot and Missionary Bishop, 672 (Transferred)
 
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: The Celtic tradition in which Chad was raised and educated had developed independently of the Roman Church of the continent. At the Synod of Whitby in 664, Chad had defended the liturgical and administrative practices of the Celtic Church; yet when the Synod ruled in favor of the Roman customs, Chad gracefully accepted and supported the Church's decision. Subsequently, Chad was appointed Bishop of York by King Oswy during the long absence of the previous appointee, who had gone to the continent to receive consecration. Shortly thereafter, Theodore of Tarsus became Archbishop of Canterbury, the first to be acknowledged throughout England as head of the English Church. In the course of his program to reorganize and unify the Church, Theodore denied the legitimacy of Chad's appointment and questioned his consecration. Chad willingly and graciously resigned. Greatly impressed with Chad's humility and devotion, Theodore reconsecrated him and sent him to be Bishop of Lichfield. As Bishop, Chad was a dedicated and tireless pastor and missionary. One innovation which he eventually adopted was the use of a horse. The Celtic bishops, in accordance with the example of the apostles and the strict rule of poverty they embraced, had made all of their journeys on foot. He died after 2+ years as a restored bishop.
 
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: The apostle Paul’s urgent warning to the Corinthian church is unmistakably a call to purify the community. He uses the image of leaven—the tiny yeast that spreads through dough—to illustrate how a single sin can permeate an entire body of believers. During Lent, we, too, are invited to examine the “leaven” in our own lives: attitudes, habits, or relationships that subtly corrupt our witness to Christ. The discipline of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving becomes the practical means by which we remove that leaven, making space for the new bread of holiness. Paul, in this passage, does not shy away from confronting serious moral failure, even though it is uncomfortable. He writes, “We must deal with the sinful brother…” This courageous look at self and others calls us to a Lenten posture of honesty—not merely hiding our flaws, but bringing them into the light of the Gospel for correction. 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 challenges us to see Lent not merely as personal sacrifice, but as a communal call to purify, confront, and renew. By deliberately removing the subtle “leaven” that threatens our witness, we prepare ourselves—and our churches—to receive the fullness of the risen Christ at Easter.
 
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “The Lord moves the air, raises the winds, darts lightning and thunders from heaven to excite the inhabitants of the earth to fear him, to dispel their pride, [and] vanquish their boldness.” - - St. Chad of Lichfield
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Lord, as we walk this holy road, grant us the courage to uncover the hidden leaven within us. Help us to cleanse our hearts with the fire of Your Word, that we may become a pure temple for Your Spirit. May this season of self-examination lead us to the glorious new life promised in the Resurrection. Amen.
LENTEN DISCIPLINE: Take fasting from a “Leaven” to heart by choosing a habit (e.g., gossip, excessive screen time) to abstain from. Extend this act to a community accountability, whereby you partner with a trusted friend for regular check-ins.
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – Leaven of the Stage by Jade Lundgren https://youtu.be/KO837ugqbmE?si=cWK1nT7xZyN0em5

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
MONDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT
PSALM: Morning  56, 57, 58 - Evening 64, 65
Gen 41:46-571 Cor 4:8-21Mark 3:7-19a
St. David of Wales, Bishop and Missionary, 589 AD Patron Saint of Poets and the Country of Wales
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: David is the patron saint of Wales. He became a priest, engaged in missionary work, and founded many monasteries, including his principal abbey in southwestern Wales. Many stories and legends sprang up about David and his Welsh monks. Their austerity was extreme. They worked in silence without the help of animals to till the soil. Their food was limited to bread, vegetables, and water.
In about the year 550, David attended a synod where his eloquence impressed his fellow monks to such a degree that he was elected primate of the region. The episcopal see was moved to Mynyw,  where he had his monastery (now called St. David's). He lived an ascetical life, which he shared with others. His Rule forbade the eating of meat; he is also the patron of vegetarians and vegans. It is said that he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was made a bishop by the Patriarch. He ruled his diocese until he had reached a very old age. His last words to his monks and subjects were: "Be joyful, brothers and sisters. Keep your faith and do the little things that you have seen and heard with me."
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: When was the last time you slipped away to a hidden corner of the world simply to pray? A place of stillness—away from the clamor of schedules, the rush of crowds, the endless to-do list? Today’s Gospel from Mark reminds us that such withdrawal was not an incidental habit of Jesus; it was a deliberate, essential practice. Throughout the Synoptic Gospels, we see the Master repeatedly seeking solitary moments—whether on the mount, beside the sea, or in a deserted garden. If retreat was vital to Him, it must also be a priority in our own rhythm of life. Consider that our culture celebrates constant activity. We pride ourselves on being “doers,” juggling home, work, church, and countless obligations. Yet Jesus shows us a counter-cultural truth: the most effective service springs from a rested, attentive heart. Without intentional withdrawal, our efforts become frantic, our compassion thins, and the flame of discipleship flickers.  When Jesus led the apostles up the hill, He was not merely offering a scenic view. He was setting them apart for preparation—creating space for the Holy Spirit to settle, for hearts to be tuned, and for minds to receive the task ahead. In that quiet, the disciples could hear—not just the words spoken, but the still, small voice that steadies us for the Kingdom.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Almighty God, who called your servant David to be a faithful and wise steward of your mysteries for the people of Wales; In your mercy, grant that, following his purity of life and zeal for the gospel of Christ We may with him receive the crown of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “We therefore grossly deceive ourselves in not allotting more time to the study of divine truths. It is not enough barely to believe them, and let our thoughts now and then glance upon them: that knowledge which shows us heaven, will not bring us to the possession of it, and will deserve  punishments, not rewards, if it remains slight, weak, and superficial. By serious and frequent meditation, it must be concocted, digested, and turned into the nourishment of our affections before it can be powerful and operative enough to change them and produce the necessary fruit in our lives. For this, all the saints affected solitude and retreats from the noise and hurry of the world, as much as their circumstances allowed them. - --- St. Apollinaris, On the Truth
LENTEN DISCIPLINE – Make a concrete plan this second week of Lent to withdraw, to listen, and to be refreshed. Perhaps a day of silence—choose a Saturday or Sunday to forgo errands, social media, and even meals prepared for others, dedicating the whole day to contemplative prayer. You can also simply take a holy hour prayer vigil in a local parish nearby.
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – O Great Saint David -https://youtu.be/CAR110H9voQ?si=PeFe8rRjleIHtY-8
 
 
 

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
PSALM: Morning  24, 29 - Evening 8, 84
Gen. 12:1-4aRomans 4:1-35John 3:1-7
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: As we step into the second week of Lent, we are called once again to the journey of purification, self-discipline, and sacrificial service. This season of grace invites us to embrace penance and prayer, seeking renewal in the presence of Christ. While these truths are familiar, they often need fresh reminders. Today’s Gospel prompts us to ask a fundamental question: Who do we say Christ is?We could answer quickly by reciting a line from the Catechism, yet the richness of our faith invites us to go deeper—to contemplate Christ not merely as a title, but as the living fulfillment of God’s covenant with humanity. The second week of Lent calls us to encounter Him anew—as the faithful covenant‑keeper who draws us into God’s promises, as the humble servant whose cross invites us to love sacrificially, and as the ever‑present source of spiritual renewal. In doing so, our Lenten journey becomes not just a season of waiting, but a lived experience of transformation, preparing us to celebrate the joy of Easter with renewed hearts.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: Todays Gospel, which is familiar to so many of us ( especially as it pertains to the 3rd chapter and the 16th verse ), reminds us that the Lenten journey is not merely a personal exercise of self-discipline; it is a pilgrimage that leads us back to the source of God’s boundless love. The challenge to strip away distractions and become more attuned to that love was not easily embraced in the time of Nicodemus, nor is it today. John 3:1‑17 invites us to move from intellectual curiosity (Nicodemus) to lived transformation. As we walk the Lenten path, this passage can sharpen our focus: to be reborn by water and Spirit, to rest in God’s overwhelming love, and to embody that love in tangible ways—so that, when Easter dawns, we emerge not merely cleansed, but truly renewed.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: God our Father, help us to hear your Son. Enlighten us with your word, that we may find the way to your glory. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: "You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to" – C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity.
LENTEN DISCIPLINE – Mindful of the first lesson today, consider spending a few hours in prayer, asking: What area of my life does God want me to step out of? When you have some insight, write a short statement (1–2 sentences) describing this “land” (e.g., deeper compassion, renewed prayer life, reconciliation with someone) and share it with another.
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – Nicodemus came to Jesus by Saint James Choir https://youtu.be/6jRbWykuzOA?si=OWgtF7bRA2iDzDiY

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
SATURDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT
PSALM: Morning  55 - Evening 138, 139
Gen 41:1-131 Cor 4:1-7Mark 2:23-3:6
 
St. John Cassian, Priest 435
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: John Cassian was a 5th-century monastic saint known for his writings on monastic life. His feast day in the Orthodox Church is February 29 (celebrated on February 28 in non-leap years). He occupies an important place among ascetic writers and theologians of the patristic age. Like Evagrius of Pontus in the East, Cassian systematized and popularized Eastern asceticism in the West. His ascetic writings had a considerable influence on the development of Western ascetic tradition. In this work, Cassian managed to combine the experience of Eastern Christian and Western Christian asceticism in the era of its development and establishment in the late 4th – early 5th century. His teaching about the order of monastic life, ascetic work, and mystical contemplation gained him enduring glory in subsequent centuries.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: During this season of forty days, we are invited to examine what we hold and how we manage it. Paul reminds the Corinthians—and us—that every believer is a steward, a caretaker of gifts that do not belong to us: the gospel, the grace that sustains us, the talents God has poured into our lives, and the very breath that makes us alive. The Lenten journey rests not on what we achieve, but on the faithfulness with which we use what God has given us. When we fast, pray, or give alms, we practice this humility, learning to be content with “nothing” while trusting that God supplies all. This holy season encourages us to offer our offerings—time, money, prayer—only to God, not to the eyes of people.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Eternal Father, turn our hearts to you. By seeking your kingdom and loving one another, may we become a people who worship you in spirit and truth. Grant 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: “We cannot better assure our eternal happiness than by living and dying in the service of the poor, in the arms of Providence, and with genuine renouncement of ourselves to follow Jesus Christ.” – St. Vincent DePaul.
LENTEN DISCIPLINE - Pay a visit to the St. Vincent DePaul Society by either donating items or bringing a person there who would benefit from such charity.
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – Wings of the Morning by Echoes and Legends - https://youtu.be/RDq1E38M24M

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
FRIDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT
PSALM: Morning  40, 54,  - Evening 51
Gen 40:1-231 Cor 3:16-23Mark 2:13-22 
 
Feast Blessed George Herbert, Priest (1633).
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: On this day, we recall one of the great examples of the priesthood in the Anglican expression of the catholic faith. Herbert was born in Wales and educated at Cambridge. He was a Church of England clergyman from 1630 and became famous for his distinctive religious poetry. He spent the rest of his life as rector in Bemerton near Salisbury. At Bemerton, George Herbert preached and wrote poetry; helped rebuild the church out of his own funds; and cared deeply for his parishioners. He came to be known as "Holy Mr. Herbert" around the countryside in the three years before his death. Before this, he wrote: A Priest to the Temple (1652), a manual of practical advice to priests, bears witness to the intelligent devotion with which he undertook his duties as priest. Herbert had long been in ill health. On his deathbed, he sent the manuscript of The Temple to Nicholas Ferrar, asking him to publish the poems only if he thought they might do good to "any dejected poor soul."3 It was published in 1633 and met with enormous popular acclaim—it had 13 printings by 1680.
 
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: In the opening verses of the 51st Psalm appointed today, the psalmist makes a raw confession: “My sins are ever before me.” The tone is not one of shameful self-condemnation but of desperate longing for God’s cleansing mercy. This is the heart-of-Lent—a willingness to stand naked before the Divine, acknowledging that “all we have is dust.” And who better than to remind us of that other than George Herbert, whose spirituality is a seamless blend of personal repentance and active love. He sees the “broken heart” of Psalm 51 not as an end in itself but as the catalyst for outward compassion. For Herbert, the interior conversion demanded by the psalm must overflow into deeds of mercy. Psalm 51 teaches us how to repent; George Herbert shows us why that repentance must become love in action. Let this Lent be the time we let both the inward cry and the outward response shape a new, holy rhythm of life.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Our God and King, you called your servant George Herbert from the pursuit of worldly honors to be a pastor of souls, a poet, and a priest in your temple: Give us grace, we pray, joyfully to perform the tasks you give us to do knowing that nothing is menial or common that is done for your sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven;” - George Herbert
LENTEN DISCIPLINE -Go to https://www.ccel.org/h/herbert/temple/Lent.html and reflect on the theme of Lent as George Herbert offers to us in his poetry.
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – King of Glory, King of Peace by David Walker - https://youtu.be/YlzunotHhZg

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
THURSDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT
PSALM: Morning  50, 59, 60 - Evening 19, 46 
Gen 39:1-23
1 Cor 2:14-3:15 
Mark 2:1-12
Saint John Calpha, Martyr 1575 – (Eastern Church)
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: This saint was born in Galata in Constantinople. He was an architect and carpenter by profession. He offended the Turks by his wholehearted confession of the Christian faith, and they tried to force him to become a Moslem. `I shall never deny my sweet Jesus Christ, replied John heroically, `I believe in Him, serve Him, and confess Him.' After harsh torture, the Turks beheaded him in Constantinople on February 26th, 1575.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: We all need people who are sources of encouragement to us when the chips are down, and the lesson from Genesis in the Old Testament does just that for us on our Lenten journey. Given all that had happened to Joseph leading up to his time in Egypt He could have very easily become bitter. He could have turned away from God. He could have stewed in his own self-pit and asked why is all this happening to me?” But instead, he continued to trust in the promises of God that he knew to be true, and he continued to plod always onward with his eyes fixed on God. He stood firm and refused to be unfaithful to the Lord, no matter what the consequences. This is what we need to understand in Lent and in life, that God is in control and that he will remain with us; we can see hard times as means of grace and use them as stepping stones to higher things. We can meet difficulties with the expectation that God is here to teach us something, and we can grab hold of the opportunity to learn from him. If instead we meet difficulty with a complaining and worrying spirit, we’ll not only lose the blessings that God would have brought, but our spiritual life also suffers.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Lord, If I be cast down and trodden under the feet of men and there be no one to help me; I will find comfort by drawing nearer to Thee, oh God; and when all hope is gone and all my aspirations are dashed to pieces and my future seems bleak; I will find comfort by drawing nearer to Thee, oh God, nearer to Thee. Amen!
 
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “The purpose of God's Providence is to unite, by means of right faith and spiritual love, people who have been separated by evil. To this end, the Savior also suffered for us, "in order to gather together the children of God who were scattered- Saint Maximus the Confessor.
LENTEN DISCIPLINE - Like Saint John Calpha centuries ago. Christians face persecution by radical fundamentalists. https://globalchristianrelief.org/stories/15-places-where-christians-risk-everything-when-they-convert-from-islam/ to discern how you could help as part of your Lenten journey.
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – Strong Enough by Matthew Westhttps://youtu.be/9HzvccmiEys?si=4gb4Z1SBceTGMpHE

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
WEDNESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT
PSALM: Morning  119:49-72 - Evening 49,53
Gen 37:25-36
1 Cor 2:1-13
Luke 11:29-32
 
St. Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople, 806.
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Tarasius had embarked on a career in the secular administration and had attained the rank of senator, eventually becoming imperial secretary (asekretis) to the Emperor Constantine VI and his mother, the Empress Irene. Originally, he embraced Iconoclasm, but later repented, resigned his post, and retired to a monastery, taking the Great Schema (monastic habit). Since he exhibited both Iconodule sympathies and the willingness to follow imperial commands when they were not contrary to the faith, he was selected as Patriarch of Constantinople by the Empress Irene in 784, even though he was a layman at the time. Nevertheless, like all educated Byzantines, he was well versed in theology, and the election of qualified laymen as bishops was not unheard of in the history of the Church. He reluctantly accepted, on condition that church unity would be restored with Rome and the oriental Patriarchs.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: In Genesis 37, we read how Joseph’s brothers, jealous of his favored status, sell him into slavery. The passage ends with the grim image of Joseph being taken away, his coat of many colors torn, his dreams mocked, and his future seemingly sealed in darkness. Yet, even in the midst of betrayal, the narrative hints at a deeper purpose: “the Lord was with Joseph” (v. 28). When disaster strikes—whether it is loss, illness, or betrayal—our first instinct is often to cling to the present pain. We ask, “Why me?” and allow bitterness to take root. In the Lenten season, we are called to step back from that immediate reaction and view suffering through an eternal lens: a moment that, in God’s providence, can be transformed into growth, compassion, and deeper reliance on Him.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Lord, you walked beside Joseph in the pit, in prison, and in the palace. Teach us to see our own pits as places where your presence can dwell. Grant us the humility to surrender our resentment, the patience to wait for your timing, and the courage to turn every crisis into an opportunity for grace. May this Lenten season be a desert where, like Joseph, we emerge renewed, ready to proclaim that “what you meant for evil, God meant for good.” Through Christ our suffering Savior, we pray. Amen.
 
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “To think ourselves imperfect, and others perfect---- that is happiness. That creatures recognize we are without virtue takes nothing from us, makes us no poorer; it is they who by this lose interior joy; for there is nothing sweeter than to think well of our neighbor”- Saint Therese of Lisieux.
 
LENTEN DISCIPLINE -  Keep a Daily Gratitude Journal: Write down three specific blessings or things you are grateful for every day, and whenever a thought of self-pity arises, immediately replace it with a prayer of thanksgiving or a prayer for someone else in your journal. 
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found)Song by Adrienne Camp and Geoff Moore https://youtu.be/rn9-UNer6Q

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
TUESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT
PSALMS: Morning 45 - Evening 47, 48
Gen 37:12-24
1 Cor 1:20-31
Mark 1:14-28
 
St. Matthias, Apostle, First Century
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: February 24 marks the feast day of Saint Matthias the Apostle for Anglicans (his feast day is celebrated on May 14 in Roman Catholicism and on August 9 in Eastern Orthodoxy). Saint Matthias is unique in church history in that he is the first apostle admitted by election (casting lots) after the ascension of Jesus. Matthias was selected to replace Judas Iscariot after his apostasy and subsequent death.
 
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: In the less from the Old Testament today, we are offered a familiar story both in the context of Scripture and sadly all too often in our daily lives. One must ponder how it is that the jealousy of Joseph’s brothers turned into such cold-hearted revenge? We are reminded in this story of some basic elements about being human, namely that when someone hurts us, when someone wounds us deeply, it’s hard to get over. It’s not like we can just snap our fingers and erase what has been done. We brood, we hurt, we remember. But if we’re not careful, the pain we feel can cause us to do things that we’ll later regret. The sad reality is that no matter how “just” we think we’re being, we have a tendency to step over the line because our feelings get in the way, and our egos get in the way. What this text challenges us to do is to consider how we’re going to respond to the pain we feel. Joseph’s brothers threw Joseph into a pit and then sold him into slavery. They didn’t have the perspective or faith or character to respond in any remotely redemptive way, or bring Joseph along in any significant way. How blessed it would have been for them to have a relationship with this brother, but instead, they lived in constant fear of him with guilty consciences nearly to their dying day. As we ponder this story, let us consider those we have thrown into the pit in our lives and how best we can be instruments of restoration with and for them.
 
PRAYER OF THE DAY: O Almighty God, who into the place of the traitor Judas didst choose thy faithful servant Matthias to be of the number of the twelve Apostles: Grant that thy Church, being always preserved from false Apostles, may be ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
 
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “Steer to God right away; fly to him, and you will find a peaceful shelter."
– Charles H. Spurgeon.
 
LENTEN DISCIPLINE –Consider how well you have received opportunities to pursue new ministries in the life of the church. Are you closer to Judas's response or Matthias's? What ministries are you open to this Lent?
 
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – The Highest And The Holiest Place byHenry Alford - https://youtu.be/qZiVA0LV1FU

FULL REFLECTION READINGS
MONDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT
PSALMS: Morning 41, 52 - Evening 44
Gen 37:1-11
1 Cor 1:1-19
Mark 1:1-13
 
St. Polycarp of Smyrna, Bishop and Martyr, 166
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: In 167, persecution broke out in Smyrna. When Polycarp, who was the humble and beloved bishop, heard that his pursuers were at the door, he said, "The will of God be done,” and meeting them, he begged to be left alone for a little time, which he spent in prayer for "the Catholic Church throughout the world." He was brought to Smyrna early on Holy Saturday, and, as he entered, a voice was heard from heaven, "Polycarp, be strong." When the proconsul besought him to curse Christ and go free, Polycarp answered, "Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He never did me wrong; how can I blaspheme my King and Savior?" Can we this Lent, be like St. Polycarp, and maintain our constancy in the faith by love of Jesus Christ
 
BIBLICAL MEDITATION OF THE DAY: In our society, the more impressive, more famous, more influential you are, it seems the further your values and visions are from Christ. While there are exceptions, Psalm 52 does cause us today to stop and take pause on how we come across. The Psalmist asks - Why does the mighty man not need the Lord’s steadfast love? The conventional wisdom of the culture is that such a person has no need for the steadfast love from God or for God because that person has himself and his wealth. He is his own love and in himself is his boast, which is of evil because self-love is turned in upon itself. The Good News is that the Lord’s steadfast love “endures all the day”, in all the light of day, turning the psalmist out to the Lord. The mighty man’s boast is of darkness. It is the Lord’s steadfast love that makes us good and full of grace. In our Lenten Journey, we must seek that humility and that grace that Saint Polycarp exemplified.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: O God, the maker of heaven and earth, you gave your venerable servant, the holy and gentle Polycarp, the boldness to confess Jesus Christ as King and Savior and the steadfastness to die for his faith: Give us grace, following his example, to share the cup of Christ and to rise to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “Now may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal high priest himself, the Son of God Jesus Christ, build you up in faith and truth and in all gentleness and in all freedom from anger and forbearance and steadfastness and patient endurance and purity;”. - Saint Polycarp.
LENTEN DISCIPLINE - – Read the newspaper, or watch the television news, intentionally. Look for stories behind stories, incidents that indicate how people may be persecuted for their faith or who are living as martyrs, and reflect on what the implications and calls to service might be for you. Share what you learn with family and friends.
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON – Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me by CityAlight - https://youtu.be/hwc2d1Xt8gM