Saint Patrick

Tuesday was St. Patrick’s Day. While it is true that the Lutheran church does not hold the saints up in the same manner as the Roman Catholic Church, the saints can still be examples of faith for us, and we can benefit from their witness and example.  Patrick was born in Britain near the end of the fourth century to wealthy parents. At the age of 16, however, Irish raiders attacked his family estate, captured the teenage Patrick, and transported him to Ireland. Like any person taken away from a loving family, however, Patrick was lonely and afraid. It is at this point in his life that he turned to God for comfort and guidance, becoming a devout Christian.

After six years as a slave, however, Patrick began to hear a voice which he believed was God's voice telling him it was time to leave Ireland. Considering he was a prisoner, this was no easy task. But God created a means of escape, and Patrick snuck away from the marauders, walked nearly 200 miles to the Irish coast, and sailed back to Britain.

Years later, though, he received a second revelation from God telling him to go back to Ireland as a missionary. He listened to the voice once again, and the rest, as they say, is history. His mission lasted nearly 30 years, up until he died on March 17, 461.

I came across this hymn/prayer attributed to St. Patrick entitled St. Patrick’s Breast Plate. These words are like the breastplate of righteousness that protects what is at the core of your being and what you hold to be true.   These words emphasize the power of God with us and I find comfort and strength in them. I love these words.

If you are looking for a prayer to start your day, might I suggest this:

I arise today 

Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism, 

Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial, 

Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension, 

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.

From snares of devils, 

From temptations of vices, 

From everyone who shall wish me ill, 

Afar and anear, 

Alone and in multitude. 

Christ to shield me today 

So that there may come to me 

abundance of reward. 

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 when I arise, 

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, 

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, 

Christ in every eye that sees me, 

Christ in every ear that hears me. 

I arise today 

May the witness of the saints shine light on our journeys of faith.

Here's a short video about St. Patrick.

Peace,

Pastor Charlie