A Happy St Patrick’s Day

 

Celtic Cross Moone Ireland

 

It is St Patrick’s Day and while many here in the US think only of Hallmark cards over corned beef and cabbage some are aware that this is a day to remember one who helped to spread the gospel in a time of darkness and oppression.  I was going to write a long post on this today but can see that others have beaten me too it so thought that I would just provide you with the best links (at least in my opinion) that I have found.

First the best Irish saying I have seen today from Michael Bell in Ontario

 And may those that love us, love us. And may those that don’t, twist their ankles so we may know them by their limping…”

Jonathan Stegall encourages us to “have a Guiness and remember to work against oppression and slavery as Patrick did  Read the article here

Chris Garrett reminds us of ways to “green up St Patrick’s Day” – a great thought when I remember how often Patrick used examples from God’s good creation to illustrate his point.  Read the article here

J Hearne gives a great summary of Patrick’s amazing life here

Or you may like to read through Patrick’s Breastplate 

Here is a great responsive reading on St Patrick’s Breastplate from Mark Berry at Way Out West 

And just because I could not resist adding my own stamp to St Patrick’s Day here is my rendition of the prayer in a responsive litany

 

In the love of God who shelters us 

In the light of Christ who walks beside us

In the power of the Spirit who dwells within us

We place ourselves today

We are redeemed us by the cross of Christ

We are saved by his precious blood

We are clothed with his light 

Praise to God on high 

(Pause to meditate on the love of God)

We bind unto ourselves today the strong name of the trinity,

By invocation of the same, the Three in One and One in three.

We bind this day to us forever, by power of faith, Christ’s Incarnation;

His baptism in the Jordan River; his death on cross for my salvation;

His bursting from the spiced tomb; His riding up the heavenly way;

his coming at the day of doom; We bind unto ourselves today.

We put on this day the armour of light

We cast off the works of darkness 

We clothe ourselves with Christ

Christ behind us, Christ before us,

Christ beside us, Christ to win us,

Christ to comfort and restore me,

Christ beneath us, Christ above us,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love us,

Christ in mouth of friend & stranger 

We wrap ourselves around with the belt of truth

We strap on the breastplate of righteousness

We take up the shield of faith

We shod our feet with the gospel of peace

We place the helmet of salvation on our heads

We clothe ourselves with Christ

We bind unto ourselves today, the power of God to hold and lead,

God’s eye to watch, God’s might to stay, God’s ear to harken to our need,

The wisdom of our God to teach, God’s hand to guide, and shield to ward,

The Word of God to give us speech, God’s heavenly host to be our guard. 

Eternal God sheltering us

Christ before us and behind us

Holy Spirit deep within us

We clothe ourselves with your presence 

We bind unto ourselves today the strong name of the Trinity,

By invocation of the same, the Three in One, the One in Three.

Of whom all nature hath creation, Eternal God, Spirit, Word;

Praise to the God of our salvation, Salvation is of Christ the Lord.