Thought for the Week - 12th March 2023

 

Dear Friends,

This week sees the celebration of the patron saint of Ireland, St Patrick, on March 17th. Born in Roman Britain in the 4th Century, in his early teenage years he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but returned around 432AD and was instrumental in bringing Christianity to Ireland. He is associated with the ‘Morning Prayer’ or St Patrick’s Breastplate’, a prayer that captures our complete faith and trust in God as Creator and Sustainer.

 

I arise today through the strength of heaven; light of the sun, splendour 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 multitude.

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.


Grace and peace,


Neil

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