March 17, 2022
Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
St. Patrick’s Day

Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy, Jeremiah challenges us with this powerful question:

More tortuous than all else is the human heart,
beyond remedy; who can understand it?

Jeremiah 7:9

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Fortunately, Jeremiah also provides an answer to the question:

I, the LORD, alone probe the mind
and test the heart,
To reward everyone according to their ways,
according to the merit of their deeds.

Jeremiah 17:10

If we invite God into our hearts, we will be guided to this blessing:

Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
            whose hope is the LORD.
That person is like a tree planted beside the waters
            that stretches out its roots to the stream:
It fears not the heat when it comes,
            its leaves stay green;
In the year of drought it shows no distress,
            but still bears fruit.

Jeremiah 17: 7-8

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Poetry: Our dear St. Patrick, on this glorious feast, gives us the perfect prayer to strengthen and direct our hearts:

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 hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.

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

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Music: The Breastplate of St. Patrick – Sara Hart

And an added prayer for the ancestral homeland and the ancestors who have blessed us with its spirit …

There were people of all ages
Gathered ’round the gable wall
Poor and humble men and women,
Little children that you called
We are gathered here before you
And our hearts are just the same
Filled with joy at such a vision
As we praise your name

Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland
All my cares and troubles cease
As I kneel with love before you
Lady of Knock, our Queen of Peace

Though your message was unspoken
Still the truth in silence lies
As we gaze upon your vision,
And the truth I try to find
Here I stand with John the teacher,
And with Joseph at your side
And I see the Lamb of God
On the Altar glorified

Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland
All my cares and troubles cease
As we kneel with love before you
Lady of Knock, our Queen of Peace

And the Lamb will conquer
And the woman clothed in the sun
Will shine Her light on everyone
Yes,
The Lamb will conquer
And the woman clothed in the sun
Will shine Her light on everyone

Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland
All my cares and troubles cease
As I kneel with love before you
Lady of Knock, my Queen of Peace
Lady of Knock, my queen of peace