Reflect
Today is St. Patrick's Day.
For Irish people, this is a great day of celebration and enjoyment. It's also a day to learn about a great Saint who worked hard to tell people about God's love for them.
There isn't a huge amount that's known about St. Patrick, but we do know that he was born in Great Britain and that he was captured by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland. He escped back to Britain, entered the Church and returned to Ireland some years later as a missionary.
Patrick then spent many years bringing the Christian faith to Ireland.
Irish people everywhere celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17th because it's something that binds them together. Wherever they are, they remember that they have a common identity and they remember - hopefully - that their identity comes, in part, from a great man of God.
This is true for many of us. The things that bind us together most strongly often have their roots in God or in faith... whether we realise it or not.
Pray
Loving Father,
We pray for the world today, and especially for the Irish.
Help us all to celebrate with joy, and help us always to remember that you are at the heart of so many of the things we celebrate in life.
Amen.
Challenge
Your challenge today is to wish somebody a happy St. Patrick's Day..
..and then to pray for that person afterwards!
Footsteps through Lent © Arundel & Brighton Diocesen Youth Service 2009 | Diocese of Arundel & Brighton | Site & Photo Credits
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