Faith Daily | 17 March 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p 484

Almighty God,

who in your providence chose your servant Patrick

to be the apostle of the Irish people:

keep alive in us the fire of the faith he kindled

and strengthen us in our pilgrimage

towards the light of everlasting life;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen

GOSPEL for the Day: Matthew 10: 16-23

16“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; 18and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 19When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; 20for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

GOSPEL REFLECTION: REFLECTION FOR ST PATRICK: Rev’d Jan

Circle me Lord

Keep protection near

And danger afar

Circle me Lord

Keep hope within

Keep doubt without

Circle me Lord

Keep light near

And darkness afar

Circle me Lord

Keep peace within

Keep evil out. David Adam

Patrick, born around 390 in Cornwall, captured by traders, taken to Ireland when 16 as slave. Patrick, escaped after six years, returned home, trained in Gaul as priest, returned to Ireland when in his early forties as Bishop. Patrick, walked the island, gently bringing people to faith in Christ, created monastic foundations which continued after his death on this day in 460. Ordained 3000 priests, 300 bishops.

Green for St Patrick’s day – the Emerald Isle; teaching about the Trinity with shamrocks!

And the reputation of many a drink – so the day is always in Lent, and permission is given to ‘lift the ban’ on merriment for this special day.

FINAL PRAYER:

St Patrick’s Breastplate

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 hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the name,

The strong name of the Trinity;

By invocation of the same.

The Three in One, and One in Three,

Of whom all nature hath creation;

Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:

Praise to the Lord of my salvation,

Salvation is of Christ the Lord.