The Feast of Saints Perpetua and Felicity | Tuesday 7 March 2023

Today is Tuesday the 7th of March, the feast of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, in the second week of Lent.

The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing Psalm 4: ‘When I call, answer me, O God of justice. From anguish you released me. Have mercy and hear me.’ Entering into prayer now, I might reflect on my own desire for justice from God….What are the things that I yearn for God to ‘put right’, in my life, or in the world around me?

Cum invocarem exaudivit me Deus iustitiae meae, in tribulatione dilatasti mihi.
Miserere mei, et exaudi orationem meam.
Filii hominum, usquequo gravi corde? ut quid diligitis vanitatem,
et quaeritis mendacium?
Et scitote quoniam mirificavit Dominus sanctum suum;
Dominus exaudiet me cum clamavero ad eum.
Irascimini, et nolite peccare; quae dicitis in cordibus vestris,
in cubilibus vestris conpungimini.
Sacrificate sacrificium iustitiae, et sperate in Domino.
Multi dicunt: Quis ostendet nobis bona?
Signatum est super nos lumen vultus tui, Domine:
dedisti laetitiam in corde meo.
A fructu frumenti et vini et olei sui, multiplicati sunt.
in pace in idipsum dormiam, et requiescam;
quoniam tu, Domine, singulariter in spe constituisti me.


Lord, have mercy and hear me.
When I call, answer me, O God of justice;
from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me!
O men, how long will your hearts be closed,
will you love what is futile and seek what is false?
It is the Lord who grants favours to those whom he loves;
the Lord hears me whenever I call him.
Fear him; do not sin: ponder on your bed and be still
Make justice your sacrifice, and trust in the Lord.
‘What can bring us happiness?’ many say.
Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.
You have put into my heart a greater joy
than they have from abundance of corn and new wine.
I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once
for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety

Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah.


Isaiah 1:10,16-20

Hear the word of the LORD,
you rulers of Sodom!
Listen to the teaching of our God,
you people of Gomorrah!
Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
remove the evil of your doings
from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
learn to do good;
seek justice,
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
plead for the widow.
Come now, let us argue it out,
says the LORD:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be like snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.
If you are willing and obedient,
you shall eat the good of the land;
but if you refuse and rebel,
you shall be devoured by the sword;
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Isaiah is nothing if not direct. His words hold a mirror to the people.


Look at what you have become.

In this time of Lent, how do I hold a mirror to my own thoughts and actions?

What is my response?

“Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.”

I recognise the words. Where is my regard for those who are vulnerable and in need?

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow.”

As I listen to the passage again I am called to compassion and to hope…

As this prayer time comes to a close, I offer thanks to a God who constantly calls me back.


You have given all to me,
To You Lord, I return it.
Everything is Yours, do with it what You will.
Give me only Your love and Your grace,
That is enough for me.
Amen.