Presence

I open my hands and my heart to receive your gifts, oh God. Fill me with your peace, your life, your Presence.

Scripture Reading

Job 29:14-17

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy, and I championed the cause of the stranger. I broke the fangs of the unrighteous and made them drop their prey from their teeth.

Reflection

Today, on St Patrick’s Day, the world celebrates Ireland and Irishness. For a small country, Ireland’s reach is great; her people populate the four corners of the earth. There’s a universality about today and how it is celebrated outside of the small island in the Atlantic. Today, there are no strangers, only friends. Is this how I see myself? As a friend to all? As a helper? As the eyes of those who cannot see? As the voice of those who cannot speak? Do I stand up for those who are wrongly accused? Do I intervene when I see an injustice and call it out? Or do I turn away, careful not to upset the status quo, minding what is mine? Grateful for the righteousness God speaks of, today I will champion a cause, a person, a situation. I will speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. I will wear justice like a robe.   

Closing Prayer

Jesus, may St. Patrick inspire me to reach out to the “alien”, the stranger, even to the enemy, as he did. May I be willing to step outside of my comfort zone and love everyone, in both big and small ways. May I hear your voice calling me to my particular mission, even if that involves danger, risk, threat, but maybe also adventure, true conversion, a deeper and truer life, and others coming to know you.  Amen.