Lenten Meditations: Thursday 22 February

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Margaret was born of farming parents in Laviano, Tuscany. Her mother died when Margaret was seven; life with her stepmother was so difficult that Margaret moved out. For nine years she lived with Arsenio, though they were not married, and she bore him a son.

One day she was waiting for Arsenio and was instead met by his dog. The animal led Margaret into the forest where she found Arsenio murdered. This crime shocked Margaret into a life of penance. She and her son returned to Laviano, where she was not well received by her stepmother. They then went to Cortona, where her son eventually became a friar. In 1277, three years after her conversion, Margaret became a Franciscan tertiary. Under the direction of her confessor, who sometimes had to order her to moderate her self-denial, she pursued a life of prayer and penance at Cortona. There she established a hospital and founded a congregation of tertiary sisters. The poor and humble Margaret was, like Francis, devoted to the Eucharist and to the passion of Jesus. These devotions fueled her great charity and drew sinners to her for advice and inspiration.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY: When we consider the Gospel reading for today which is taken from the Daily Office Lectionary for the Anglican Church of Canada 1962 BCP. One cannot help but ask some pressing questions about why Judas did what he did the only motive shown in scripture is greed, but the gospels also say that Judas was pressed by Satan and acted as he did to fulfil prophecies.

Certainly that reality wanting more and being pressed by others is not foreign to us. It is easy to say we would never do anything like that until we find ourselves in that position.
Of course there are also deeper theological dynamics at work namely that in faith we believe that Judas’ betrayal was a necessary part of God’s salvation plan.

Then, of course there is the human dimension…….Judas was making a political motive to separate himself from the group
Judas was disillusioned and angry over the direction of things……
Result….Judas didn’t intend a ‘betray, it just happened.

When we hear that we say how is that possible. When we are in that situation, we say of course it is. Part of the Lenten journey is to read Scriptures and see ourselves in it. Even when it comes to Judas.

PRAYER OF THE DAY: Father, we humbly pray today that you help us today to get over the memories and pain involved with having been betrayed by someone we loved, and we thought loved us. Thank you for keeping us in perfect peace, regardless of circumstances beyond our control. We turn the hurt and pain over to you, cleanse our hearts and renew our spirits. In Your Name, the Name above all names we pray. Amen

LENTEN DISCIPLINE – Read the Judas Goat: How to Deal with False Friendships, Betrayals, and the Temptation Not to Forgive by Perry Stone as part of the discipline on living into grace from betrayal. Go to https://www.amazon.com/Judas-Goat-Friendships-Betrayals-Temptation/dp/1621365212

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “There is no justification without sanctification, no forgiveness without renewal of life, no real faith from which the fruits of new obedience do not grow.”– Martin Luther