March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day.
WILL THIS BE A FESTIVE DAY?
St. Patrick’s isn’t a holy day. It was proclaimed by men instead of God, long after the time that God gave us the Holy Days.
Should we celebrate then?
There is nothing wrong with remembering a fellow Christian who fought a great fight against the enemy of God. Just be careful how you go about making your celebration/memorial. Leave out anything that is pagan and inappropriate. Celebrate the things that are godly and good.
Hopefully, our nation will at least be a little more festive than last year. The social distancing seems to be letting up in most areas. We have even heard the official announcement that the pandemic is officially over! YEA! Another reason to celebrate. I hope everyone is able to celebrate and stay well too.
HOW IRISH ARE YOU THINKING?
For some of us St. Patrick’s Day means thinking a bit “Irish.”
Thinking Irish and remembering the life of St. Patrick reminds me of a perfect prayer to pray during any times of distress. Though the pandemic is behind us now; there are plenty of other things that are stressing our nations. This prayer has been so helpful to so many over the ages.
Are you familiar with the prayer that is called “St. Patrick’s Breastplate?”
It is a beautiful and uplifting prayer that represents a person’s transformation when putting their complete trust and faith in God. That was exactly what St. Patrick had to do as a young boy who was kidnapped and taken into slavery. His only hope was if God could help him.
ST. PATRICK’S BREASTPLATE
The prayer goes like this:
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
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 way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me,
Afar and a near,
Alone, or in a multitude.
Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of Creation.
What prayer could be more perfect for the times that we are going through?
FIND YOUR IRISH FAITH
Let’s not take the time to think Irish by drunken revelry; but by remaining in constant faith.
Those old Irish superstitions are not real; but God is.
Perhaps if we all pray this old prayer together it will bring God’s power of healing to all people of the world and we will come forth with a whole new and fresh appreciation for the simple and ordinary things of life.
We will recall those things that both Jesus and St. Patrick used as illustrations of how awesome and amazing God’s power can be in working everyday miracles for those who have the faith to believe at all times and in all circumstances.