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Email Devotionals
Hot Off the Press!
What was Joan of Arc doing on this day 576 years
ago? Where was she on her journey of faith? Read one of this month's
email devotionals to find out!
March 20, 1429
Palm Sunday
"There were many who wanted to see me, but they kissed my garments only when
I could not help it. But the poor wanted to come to me because I did them no
hurt-rather, I supported them to the best of my power."
Historical and Liturgical Backdrop:
Notice the liturgical day in 1429, it's Palm Sunday. This day would
have held particular importance to Joan, as it marked the day in which
Jesus entered Jerusalem prior to His execution. The crowd greeted Him by
waving branches of palms and spreading their garments in His path,
hailing Him as the Messiah. In the Gospel of Matthew we're told,
"...when He was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, 'Who is this?'"
Joan gained a similar momentum as did Christ. Riding atop her horse,
she too was greeted by the people in the towns she entered. Villagers
hailed her as the Savior of France, handing her Rosaries to bless and
throwing lilies in her path.
Devotional: Humble Servant
On Palm Sunday, 1429, towns buzzed with information concerning the Maid.
She had gained entry to see the King, preparation for her mission was
underway, and she was preparing to dictate her first letter to the
English. This Palm Sunday must have held special sentiment as Joan
reflected on her Lord's journey. Like Him, she was stepping into the
role of liberator. At Palm Sunday Mass, when she repeated the words of
the crowd who hailed Jesus, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of
the Lord," did those words become a personal consummation? Eye
witnesses tell us that in spite of all the hooplah-lah surrounding
Joan, she maintained a deep humility, on occasion even chastising
people for their extreme affections. She didn't regard her perceived
holiness as something to exploit but rather humbled herself as servant
to the poor and afflicted.
Place your shoes in Joan's stirrups! How would you respond if you were the
object of great celebration? Would you remain steadfast, like Joan,
supporting the afflicted, "to the best of my power"? How do you handle
the momentum of success?
Prayer:
May I maintain humility in times of praise and steadfast focus in the midst of achievement.
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Discover wisdom for daily living mirrored in Joan's own words, amidst the
liturgical and historical backdrop that surrounded her.
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Joan
and the Season of Lent
It’s no coincidence Joan started her mission during the month of
February, 1429. It would not have escaped her recognition that during
this month the season of Lent was celebrated. In fact, the day in
which Lent began, Ash Wednesday,
February 9, 1429, was the day
she chose to address Sir Robert, the captain of Vaucouleurs,
requesting aid to begin her mission. In the forty days of Lent that
followed, Joan would follow the traditional practice of turning her
attention away from the things of this world and looking instead
towards God. The season fell during an opportune time for Joan in
February, 1429, as she left all remnants of her childhood behind
and stepped into her new role as liberator of
France. Joan had much to do to prepare for the enormous
mission ahead, and Lent was a precious tool at her disposal.
Lent is still an observed time of purification, to look at one’s relationship with
Creator and give up or fast from things harmful to this relationship.
In our present year, 2005, the season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday,
February 9, and goes until Easter Sunday, March 27.
"I must be with the King before mid-Lent, though I wear my legs to the knees on
the road. For there is none in this world…who can restore the
Kingdom of France. Nor is there any succor for it but from me."
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Have
You Seen Joan of Arcadia?
If you haven't seen
this show, consider tuning in. It's about a High School student, Joan
(from Arcadia), who hears the voice of God. In the daily moral
dilemmas of life, God appears to her as the janitor, a cute boy, a
goth kid, the librarian or as a number of other unsuspecting guises.
The producer of the show has a good knowledge of Joan of Arc, and the
story follows her timeline well throughout the season. The write-ups
in the Joan of Arcadia
Chat forum are gaining momentum. Kick up your feet for some great
entertainment with a Joan of Arc theme, then come let us know your
thoughts! Next show airs Friday, April 1 (after a break in the
season.)
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