Lenten feria

My Friends in Christ,

I am a keen collector of old Missals and Prayerbooks. Why? Because they contain so many words of wisdom, which our modern liturgies do not provide us with anymore. I turn to the old St.John's Missal frequently for words of wisdom and am very happy to share these with you this evening.

The Tuesday after the Third Sunday of Lent is devoted to the Protection of God. The Introit of the Mass comes from Psalm 16, the verses 6 and 8 " Hide me under the shelter of Thy Wings."And if we turn to the Book of Kings 4 , the verses 1-7 you will read the story of the miraculous multiplication of the oil by Eliseus, which symbolizes the abundant mercy of God.

We all like to feel secure in this life, on this journey through this barren land, we like to have a spouse, who loves us and who protects us. Yes.. that feeling of being protected. As committed Catholic Christians we know that the security in this life is not generated by worldly power and posessions and that Christ alone is our Rock and we do know that relationships often fail and this feeling of being protected, well it does seem to exist anymore. Security and protection can only be ours, if we make a commitment to love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ, to put His Holy Words into real action and to walk in His Holy Ways. Live your lives this way and expect many miracles. Always remember that God protects those who love Him as a man, who protects the apple of his eye. Again read that Psalm, which I quoted at the beginning of this short meditation.

During this most Holy Season of Lent, there is definately one thing that comes to the surface, i.e. us miserable sinners and then this abundant mercy of God. His Mercy was so abundant, that He gave us His only Son Jesus Christ to die on the Cross for our Sins. It is mercy , in abundance, freely given, it is yours and it is mine, all we have to do is to accept it with a humble and contrite heart.

May God bless us, as we continue our Lenten journey.

Ed Bakker

Postulant TAC New Zealand