I keep coming across the number 40 this Lent. Today was another reminder. It's the feast of the 40 martyrs of Sebaste. Since I hate the winter cold, this story strikes me particularly hard. I think of the poor soul who failed to persevere and died in the warm bath. Is he in an even hotter place now? It's hard to imagine that, under such torture, a person gives full consent of the will to the evil act. I'm praying for him today. I hope he is in the company of his fellow soldiers today glorifying God.
But the true significance of the event to me is the kind of bold, manly faith these soldiers possessed. Aren't we called to that as well? How I would like to be so courageous. Please, Lord, give me courage and perseverance!
The number 40 in biblical symbolism represents testing. Think of the 40 days and nights that Noah and his family spent on the ark. It's easy to imagine the testing of their faith as they looked out on the rain and then the endless sea wondering if they would ever walk on dry land again. The Israelites fleeing Egypt spent 40 years in the desert on a journey that should have taken fewer than 40 days. Their testing was extended by their rebellion and infidelity. Jesus went into the mountains after His baptism and spent 40 days to be tempted by Satan and show us what our response to demonic temptations should be.
My spiritual director suggested I read Exodus for Lent. There are 40 chapters in the book which makes it perfect for Lenten meditation. What a rich source of spiritual reflection! Today I read chapter 24 which stressed 40 again:
12And the Lord said to Moses: Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and the law, and the commandments which I have written: that thou mayst teach them. 13Moses rose up, and his minister Josue: and Moses going up into the mount of God, 14Said to the ancients: Wait ye here till we return to you. You have Aaron and Hur with you: if any question shall arise, you shall refer it to them. 15And when Moses was gone up, a cloud covered the mount. 16And the glory of the Lord dwelt upon Sinai, covering it with a cloud six days: and the seventh day he called him out of the midst of the cloud. 17And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like a burning fire upon the top of the mount, in the eyes of the children of Israel. 18And Moses, entering into the midst of the cloud, went up into the mountain: and he was there forty days, and forty nights.
Moses' sojourn on the mountain was a time of testing for the people below and they didn't do very well. In fact, many received an F. They failed at faith, obedience, gratitude, prayer, and perseverance. Forgetting all the good things God had done for them, they made the golden calf and worshiped it imitating all the worst examples from their life in Egypt.
These 40 days of Lent are a testing period for us. How are we doing? Have you already dumped your Lenten resolutions? Today is a good day for us to ask the intercession of those 40 glorious martyrs of Sebaste. Let us go out in our imaginations onto the lake of ice and sing with them the glory of God recognizing that our time in this Valley of Tears is limited. Let's not waste a single minute of it in self pity or complaints. No matter what God allows in our lives, joys or sorrows, it is all, every bit of it, for our good. Please, Lord, let me never forget that. I don't want to wallow in self-pity or complaint, but turn all to your greater glory.
May Jesus Christ be praised!
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