Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Wednesday in the First Week of Lent

Jack Meffen

The Collect of the Day

Bless us, O God, in this holy season, in which our hearts seek your help and healing; and so purify us by your discipline that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Readings: Jonah 3:1–10, Luke 11:29–32 & Psalm 51:11–18

In this season of introspection and reflection, I read the passages for today. I think my favorite canticle includes the verse “Open thou my lips and my mouth shall show forth thy praise”. Likewise, Jonah is told to “preach…the preaching that I bid thee”. Now is the time to light my own candle and not “… to hide it under a bushel”.I love Anne’s expression to “pray with your feet” and provide an example through actions, showing my gratitude by working with and for others. If I can do this in a humble manner, I hope to be an example of what being a Christian means to me. At the same time, there is no better way to feel better.

While Lent may be a time of sackcloth and ashes, I can’t feel that way. Sure, the restrictions of the pandemic or the uncertainty of welcoming students back into the schools weighs on me but I have more things for which to be grateful than I could possibly hope for. My family is all healthy, we have a new grandson, Fran and I are both working and feeling good. Knowing all this gives me the hope that Covid won’t last forever, that winter will soon be over and that the Easter season of rebirth is coming. Peace to all of you!

God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The Courage to change the things that I can,

And the Wisdom to know the difference.