March 17, 2011 was a day in Northeastern Ohio when the weather was particularly warm, clear, totally benevolent. Folks recognized the day in any number of ways. Some attended special worship services, others paraded wearing green beads and shamrocks, lifted glasses of green beer. Irish or not, many people see March 17 as "happy".
Patrick of Ireland, who died in the 5th C. AD, could not have imagined the breadth and scope of his celebrity. Now his name stimulates stories, caricatures, costumes, accessories, decorations, parties, menus, dances --and yet up until the 20th century, his "day", March 17, was a religious day, not a public holiday!
There are all sorts of stories about St, Patrick's Day and St. Patricks life -- missionary deeds, acts of simplicity and charity, times of suffering, and of course the legendary "snake drive". I would guess that Patrick, propelled by his prayer, his devotion to God, and the "real life" situations he faced was simply doing what he knew he needed to do. I doubt that he choreographed his day with any idea that some of his deeds would be the "stuff" of legend, of song and captivating art. I doubt that he knew there would be statues and emblems based upon his "image".
Sometimes I wonder, who is walking the earth today who will say or do things that will continue to impact human life 1500 years from now? Perhaps somebody you know will be immortalized in story, song or graphic art.
But for now, it is simply a matter of getting on with what may seem as ordinary activities.
I wonder where we the handiwork of the Lord? I wonder if what you or I do today will be aligned with the eternal. At the end of the day, will you be able to recall at least a few sightings of God's strength, power, and wisdom?
Prayer of St Patrick, Apostle of Ireland.
May the Strength of God guide us.
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Angels of God guard us.
- Against the snares of the evil one.
May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!
May Thy Grace, Lord,
Always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and forevermore. Amen.
May the Strength of God guide us.
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Angels of God guard us.
- Against the snares of the evil one.
May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!
May Thy Grace, Lord,
Always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and forevermore. Amen.
1 comment:
All Saints' Day isn't All Saints' Day unless we sing "For All the Saints, Who From Their Labors Rest." The hymn was sung to at least one other tune until Ralph Vaughn Williams wrote a specific tune for it for a new English hymnal in 1908. The tune name is absolutely perfect: "Sine Nomine" which means "Without Name."
We remember the select few who are recalled in the history of the Church for one reason or another. God remembers ALL the faithful, even those who simply did what they could to be faithful in their "unremarkable" lives.
To be faithful is our only quest. Grant this, O Lord, unto us all.
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