Lent: February 24th
Wednesday of the First Week of Lent
Other Commemorations: Ethelbert of Kent, King (RM)
MASS READINGS
February 24, 2010 (Readings on USCCB website)
COLLECT PRAYER
Father, through our observance of Lent, help us to understand the meaning of your Son's death and resurrection, and teach us to reflect it in our lives. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Recipes (4)
Activities (2)
Prayers (1)
Library (0)
Blog & Podcasts (0)
» Enjoy our Liturgical Seasons series of e-books!
While still more people gathered in the crowd, he said to them, "This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here (Lk 11:29-32).
Meditation - The Faults of Our Neighbor
In disagreements between you and your neighbor, you must always remember that to be in the right is the consideration that influences a Christian the least. The philosopher may indulge such a satisfaction. But to be in the right and to act as if one were not, to allow one's opponent to triumph on the side of injustice,this means to overcome evil by good, and to secure peace for one's soul. No more convincing argument for your own vindication is required than the silent exterior acknowledgment that you are in the wrong. He who edifies does more for the truth than he who is zealous for the combat. Instead of trying to refute those that are in the wrong, it is better to pray for them. A stream flows much more rapidly when nothing is done to hold it back. Pray for those who are prejudiced against you, never become embittered against them, pity them, await their return to better feelings, and help to free them from their prejudices. One would not be human if he does not feel how easy it is to stray, and how much it costs to acknowledge this. The spirit of meekness, of indulgence, of patience and humility in examining the behavior of others toward us, secures us that peace of mind which is not compatible with the jealous, suspicious sensibilities of self-love. — Fénelon
Things to Do:
- Read this thought-provoking article by George Rutler, Why We Need Lent, to understand why such a season of mortification is necessary for us to become saints.
Today's Station is at St. Mary Major. The spring Ember Week consecrated the new season to God and by prayer and fasting sought to obtain abundant graces for those who on Saturday were to receive Holy Orders. The Station was fittingly held in the church, which witnessed the first scrutinies for the coming ordinations, and which was dedicated to the mother of the great High Priest.
St. Ethelbert of Kent (or Albert)
Ethelbert (or Albert) was (560–616), King of Kent. He married Bertha, daughter of the Frankish king, Charibert, and afforded her every opportunity for the exercise of her religion. When he was baptized by Saint Augustine, 597, his supremacy in southern Britain led to the baptism of 10,000 of his countrymen within a few months. Thenceforth he was the watchful father of the Anglo-Saxon Church.
Among others he founded at Canterbury the church which was afterwards to be the primatial cathedral of England. He issued their first written laws to the English people. He was popularly called Saint Albert, and is known under this name as titular saint of numerous churches in England. His relics were preserved at Canterbury.
—from New Catholic Dictionary
Highlights and Things to Do:
- Find out more about St. Ethelbert:
- St. Ethelbert or Albert was originally buried in the side chapel of Saint Martin in the abbey church of Saints Peter and Paul, with his relics later translated to Canterbury.
