Wearing Green

I have always loved St. Patrick’s Day. In the somber season of Lent it serves as a glimpse into what lies beyond Easter. I also love the Irish culture and the beauty of that island. I love their music, their food (and thanks to Patrick) their faith. Below is a reflection for St. Patrick’s Day.

Matthew 28:16-20
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

This lesson from the gospel of Matthew is the one assigned to the feast day of St. Patrick. Here we see Jesus instructing His disciples one last time. It seems what’s most important to Jesus is that His disciples go out into the world and not just tell others about His love, but to make them their students. The students have now become the teachers and they are to instruct all those who will follow them. They are to administer the sacraments and carry on what Jesus began. But they are not going out alone. Jesus is with them. Jesus will be watching over them and in a relationship with them forever.

And so it is with this knowledge that St. Patrick left the shores of England and went to the people of Ireland. The people of Ireland had once enslaved Patrick and now he will be returning to them, not for revenge, but to save their very souls.

This St. Patrick’s Day we should not so much think about green beer and all things Irish. Instead we should reflect on Patrick’s mission and think about ways we can reach out with the hand of Jesus to our enemies. How can we help those who have wronged us to grow in the faith of Jesus Christ? So the next time you see someone wearing green, or a four leaf clover shirt, remember not just to think about the luck of the Irish, but to remember Jesus’ final words to His disciples. Then, go and do likewise.

LET US PRAY
Almighty God, who in your providence chose your servant Patrick to be the apostle of the Irish people, to bring those who were wandering in darkness and error to the true light and knowledge of you: Grant us so to walk in that light, that we may come at last to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. AMEN

The Thorny Path

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God - to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

From the Hymn: Be Still My Sou,: Text: Katharina von Schlegel, 1752; trans. by Jane Borthwick, 1855

In deed there may be many thorns along our path; thorns of death, sickness, loss, unfairness, and cruelty. As we walk along the path of our life these thorns will tear at us, pull parts of us away, and cut us deeply. The good news is that if we have a great love for Christ and know him in our lives, then our faith will hold on to the best parts of ourselves. This means the thorns will only be able to tear away those things which are holding us back from a deeper relationship with God. The thorns, therefore, will force us to let go of things like vanity, selfishness, and pride; those parts of ourselves that keep us spiritually in this world. If we are faithful then, if we allow the barbs to deepen our appreciation for God’s presence in our lives, then we will surely immerge from the thorny path a person who has been truly transformed into an image of holiness and godly love.