The past few days have many of us feeling vulnerable, lonely, and uncertain of the days ahead.  We are not experienced in dealing with a pandemic like the one that is upon us.  And, the thing is, the entire world is affected by it, not only us.  In the midst of fear and anxiety for many, I’m clinging to hope, savoring moments of joy, and reminding myself that this is a season that I have no manual for and no experience with.  None of us do.  And, by God’s grace we will get through this stronger and more connected with each other and with God.

A couple of days ago was St. Patrick’s Day.  Coming from Irish heritage, I celebrate and remember my family history and reach back many years to pray a portion of the prayer known as “St. Patrick’s Breastplate,” attributed to St. Patrick, fifth century missionary to Ireland.  The prayer gives me peace and comfort and offers a rich range of scriptural teaching and the mystery of Christ’s presence.  Each day, during the season of Lent, I meditate on it line by line.  This year especially, it is an appropriate, powerful prayer as I attempt to navigate an uncharted path and future.

I have shared a familiar portion the prayer with you at the bottom of this page and I invite you to pray it each day and to reflect upon the words of presence in them. We are not alone in the journey through this pandemic. We are living in a new reality with our brothers and sisters in our community and across the world.  None of us are exempt. As you meditate upon the words of the prayer, please take your time and do not limit the sense of the holy and of God’s presence, of who Christ is, and of how the Spirit moves among us.  Remember, “We are not alone, we live in God’s world.  We believe in God: who has creating and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit.” (UMH, 883)

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 who love me,

Christ in the mouth of friend and stranger.

 

(From an adaptation of a section of “St. Patrick’s Breastplate” by Cecil Alexander and Charles Stanford.  Original prayer attributed to St. Patrick, fifth century.)