Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Have you noticed that it’s usually blustery, rainy and cold on St. Patrick’s day – at least here in the tristate region?  In Dublin the weather’s supposed to be a sunny but cool at 55.  Patrick did bring Christianity to pagan Ireland but did not drive out the snakes as the legend has it.  He was known for kindness, charity, and a love of the land.

The warm weather last week brought out the crocuses and snowdrops and even a bit of green on some lawns.  It is indeed a time to feel God’s presence even when it is cold and damp for the presence can bring a warmth even stronger than the sun.

What’s really incredible about Ireland is how green it really is.  We, too, can bring green into our lives by caring for the earth.  St. Patrick’s Day always comes in the middle of Lent, but that’s perhaps as it should be. The Irish had a long struggle for freedom and in Northern Ireland still under English rule, there still needs to be reconciliation between the factions.  Lent is a time of repentance and forgiveness. We, in addition to Ireland, need both.

Prayer for the Day

Cast away the darkness we often have in our hearts               

    That holds us and contains us in its prison;                        

May we seek wisdom of your spirit, O God,

    Freeing us from our past and moving us into the future.        

Illumine us with your presence and shape our response          

    So we live the radical equality of the Gospel preached.           

In the name of the One who points the way,           

    Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.

Thoughts for the Day

I arise today, through God's strength to pilot me, God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me, God's shield to protect me.

            From the prayer known as the Breastplate of St. Patrick (d. 3/17/ 460)

It is a virtue and a prize to listen patiently and to put up with insults for the sake of God.

            St. Brigit of Kildare, baptized by St. Patrick (451-525)

The righteous are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.

   Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid; they will look in strength on their foes.

They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor;

    Their righteousness endures forever.

            Psalm 113: 7-9