feast of st.
patrick
10 But you, my servant
Jacob, do not fear!—oracle of the
LORD—do not be dismayed, Israel! For I will soon deliver you from places far
away, your offspring from the land of their exile; Jacob shall again find rest,
secure, with none to frighten him, 11 for I am with you—oracle of the LORD—to save you. I will bring to
an end all the nations among whom I have scattered you; but you I will not
bring to an end. I will chastise you as you deserve, I will not let you go
unpunished.
Secularist and pagans still tremble with fear because of God. Why? People fear
what they do not understand or have to compete with. Every person is born with
the spirit of God within them; it is the spirit of truth which they have lost
or suppressed.
Christ referred to this when he told the parable of
the sower. The seed is the spirit of truth (spirit of God) that the sower sows.
Christ tells us, “A sower went out to
sow. and as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds
came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it
had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack
of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew
up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and
produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever
has ears ought to hear.” (Mt. 13:3-9)
Jeremiah declares that
God’s way of punishing His people is to give them band leaders, (Jer. 30:10-11)
while His way of rewarding them is to give them good leaders (Jer. 30: 21-22).
Everything rises and falls on leadership. As the leader goes, so go the people.
Why is this true?
·
Leaders represent the people they lead.
·
People reflect the leader they follow.
·
Leaders are the most influential individuals among
the people.
·
When God starts a movement, He uses one person to
spearhead it.
·
People look to leaders for models
ST. PATRICK[2] was born towards the close of
the fourth century, but the place of his birth is not positively known. Britain
and Scotland both claim the honor, but the best authorities seem to agree upon
Brittany, in France. In his sixteenth year he was carried into captivity by
certain barbarians, who took him into Ireland, where he was obliged to keep
cattle on the mountains and in the forests, in hunger and nakedness, amidst
snows, rain, and ice. The young man had recourse to God with his whole heart in
fervent prayer and fasting: and from that time faith and the love of God
acquired continually new strength in his tender soul. After six months spent in
slavery under the same master St. Patrick was admonished by God in a dream to
return to his own country, and informed that a ship was then ready to sail thither.
He went at once to the seacoast, though at a great distance, and found the
vessel. After three days sail they made land, but wandered twenty-seven days
through deserts, and were a long while distressed for want of provisions. Patrick
assured the company that if they would address themselves with their whole
hearts to the true God He would hear and succor them. They did so, and on the
same day met with a herd of swine. From that time provisions never failed them,
till on the twenty-seventh day they came into a country that was cultivated and
inhabited. Some years afterwards he was again led captive, but recovered his
liberty after two months. When he was at home with his parents, God manifested
to him, by divers visions, that He destined him to the great work of the
conversion of Ireland. The writers of his life say that after his second
captivity he travelled into Gaul and Italy, and saw St. Martin, St. Germanus of
Auxerre, and Pope Celestine, and that he received his mission and the
apostolical benediction from this Pope, who died in 432. Great opposition was
made to his episcopal consecration and mission, both by his own relations and
by the clergy; but the Lord, Whose will he consulted by earnest prayer,
supported him, and he persevered in his resolution. He forsook his family, sold
his birthright and dignity to serve strangers, and consecrated his soul to God,
to carry His name to the ends of the earth. In this disposition he passed into
Ireland to preach the Gospel, penetrating into the remotest corners; and such
was the fruit of his preaching’s and sufferings that he baptized an infinite number
of people. He ordained everywhere clergymen, induced women to live in holy
widowhood and continence, consecrated virgins to Christ, and instituted monks.
He took nothing from the many thousands whom he baptized, but gave freely of
his own, both to pagans and Christians, distributed large alms to the poor in
the provinces where he passed, and maintained and educated many children, whom
he trained to serve at the altar. The happy success of his labors cost him many
persecutions. He died and was buried at Down, in Ulster. His body was found
there in a church of his name in 1185, and translated to another part of the
same church.
A WARRIORS BREASTPLATE[3]
I
bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead, His eye to watch, his
might to stay, His ear to hearken to my need; the wisdom of my God to teach,
his hand to guide, his shield to ward; the word of God to give me speech, his
heavenly host to be my guard. Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ
behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to
comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet,
Christ in danger, Christ in the hearts of all that love me, Christ in the mouth
of friend and stranger. Amen
Things
to Do[4]
·
This
is a good day to honor St. Patrick by trying typical Irish fare: corned beef
and cabbage, soda bread, scones, stew, Shepherd's pie, potatoes in various
forms and the famous beer and spirits of Ireland. For dessert, try making the
Irish Porter Cake.
·
Read
the Lorica (Breastplate) of St. Patrick. Here is an older
translation — pray it with your family after your rosary tonight.
·
From
the Catholic Culture library: The
Conversion of Ireland by Warren Carroll, The Irish
Soldiers of Mexico by Michael Hogan, The Irish
Madonna of Hungary by Zsolt Aradi and Our Lady in
Old Irish Folklore and Hymns by James F. Cassidy.
·
St.
Patrick used the three-leaf shamrock to explain the Trinity to non-Christians.
The leaves stood for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
·
Approximately
5.5 million pints of Irish Guinness stout are consumed on an average day. On
St. Patrick's Day, nearly 13 million are consumed.
·
Wearing
the shamrock, a three-leaf clover is a St. Patrick's Day tradition. The
official three-leaf clover is known scientifically as Trifolium dubium however
clovers can also have more leaves. Four-leaf clovers are said to be lucky,
however the odds of finding one are about 1 to 10,000.
·
The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was roused, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same.- St. Patrick
·
Sláinte!
- used when clinking glasses with friends at a bar (equivalent of Cheers or
Health!)
Saint
Patrick's Day Top Events and Things to Do
·
Wear
green! In some parts of the world, the custom is to pinch people who aren't
wearing the color of shamrocks.
·
Attend
a St. Patrick's Day parade. Major cities like Chicago, New York, San
Francisco, Dallas, and Boston host marching bands and floats.
·
The
heart of any Irish neighborhood is its local pub. Share a couple of green
Guinness beers
with friends at a local Irish pub or try Magner's (Bulmer's) apple cider as an
alternative.
·
St.
Patrick was a brave and humble man. Have you been putting off something
because you are afraid to do it? Do it today in honor of St. Patrick's Day.
Read:
It's St. Patrick's Day! Take time to read about the patron
saint of Ireland. . . and
how he was a victim of human trafficking prior to his life as a priest and
bishop.
Reflect:
On
March 16, 2016, Pope Francis said in his general audience of St. Patrick:
"May his spiritual strength inspire you, dear young people,
to be consistent in your faith; may his faith in Christ the Savior sustain you,
dear sick people, at the most difficult times; and may his
missionary devotion remind you, dear newlyweds, of the importance
of Christian education for your children."
Act:
Visit
the Anti-Trafficking Program webpage on USCCB.org to find out
more about what the US bishops are doing to combat human trafficking.
When
we consider God valued the human person as so precious enough to die for we
should make a concerted effort to aid others.
The
giving of Alms has everything to do with devotions and piety. Almsgiving is a
powerful form of prayer. “Prayer and
fasting are good, but better than either is almsgiving accompanied by
righteousness…It is better to give alms than t store up gold; for almsgiving
saves one from death and expiates every sin. Those who regularly give alms
shall enjoy a full life” (Tob 12:8-9) To give alms is to give to God. If we
are giving alms righteously then most likely we are doing it though some form
of fasting giving from our substance. The giving of Alms should not
philanthropy with a smiling photo op and boost to our pride. The earliest
Christians knew they could not make a good Communion if they neglected the
poor. St. Ignatius noted that the twin marks of heresy are the neglect of the
poor and neglect of the Eucharist. “The mystery of the poor is this: that they
are Jesus and what you do for them you do to him.” (Dorothy Day) The Eucharist
is the key to a civilization of love. It saves us from misguided tenderness and
feel-good philanthropy, because it gives us the grace to sacrifice as Jesus
did. Our main focus must be widows and orphans. (Single parents and children)
“Widows and orphan are to be revered like the altar of sacrifice.” (Pope Paul
VI) We should give as much as we can and we should give it responsibly making
sure the alms are not wasted.
Mormons
in their almsgiving, for example, do fast offerings in addition to tithing.
This offering accompanies a monthly 24-hour fast. All the money that would have
been spent to buy food during those 24 hours is donated to the Church for the
purpose of feeding the hungry and caring for the needy.
When you become weakened and the outcome of the war seems uncertain, recall in faith that God’s ultimate triumph is secure.
·
You
are of God, dear children, and have overcome him, because greater is He who is
in you than he who is in the world. 1 Jn 4: 4
·
The
LORD goes forth like a mighty man, like a man of war He stirs up His fury; He
cries out, He shouts aloud; He shows Himself mighty against His foes. Is 42: 13
·
The
LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the
stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? The LORD is my light and my
salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom
shall I be afraid? Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of
the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all
the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His
temple. For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will
conceal me under the cover of His tent, He will set me upon a high rock. And
now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies round about me; and I will
offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to
the LORD. . . . I believe that I shall see the goodness of
the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your
heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD! Ps 27: 1– 6, 13– 14
·
For,
behold, Your enemies, O LORD, for, behold, Your enemies shall perish; all
evildoers shall be scattered. Ps 92: 9
Daily Devotions
·
Manhood of
the Master-Day 7 week 7
·
Do
40 min. in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
·
Please
pray for me and this ministry
[1] John Maxwell, The Maxwell Leadership
Bible.
[2]
Goffine’s Divine Instructions, 1896.
[3]
St. Patrick
[7] Hahn, Scott, Signs of Life; 40 Catholic
Customs and their biblical roots. Chap. 33. Almsgiving.
[8]Thigpen,
Paul. Manual for Spiritual Warfare. TAN Books.
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