Saturday, March 18, 2017
Commemoration of Cyril of Jerusalem
Reading: Exodus 17:1-7
“YHWH
said to Moshe: Here I stand before you there on the Rock at Horev, you are to
strike the rock and water shall come out of it, and the people shall drink.
Moshe did thus, before the eyes of the elders of Israel.” Exodus 17:6
Lent as a period of preparation for Easter was already
common in the church by the year 330 CE. During these days catechumens
(candidates for baptism) were being instructed for their baptism at the Vigil
of Easter, and the community as a whole used the time as a reminder and renewal
of their baptism. The woman at the well, the man born blind, and the raising of
Lazarus were all scripture lessons used in this instruction, pointing toward
new life, the new sight given by the waters of baptism. Water flows in the
desert, thirst is quenched in the wilderness. Hope is offered to those in
despair. Water flows from the rock. Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of
our salvation.
Blessed
are you, O God, for you bring water flowing from the rock. Amen
- Light a candle at your altar
to give thanks for your baptism.
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