REFOCUS
Begin with silence, stillness, and centering before God. Pray as you breathe slowly and intentionally, simply seeking to be aware of the presence of God.
You may wish to use the Trinity as your focus, saying,
Abba, Father; Jesus, Savior;
Holy Spirit; You are God.
READ
Hebrews 12:2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
John 1:4
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
John 8:12
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.
REFLECT
Patrick’s Vision
You may be familiar with the hymn “Be Thou My Vision.” The hymn actually originated as an ancient Irish poem, written in the sixth century by monk and musician, Dallan Forgaill.
Forgaill was inspired to write the poem by the stories of St. Patrick, a missionary to his native land. One story, in particular, moved Forgaill to write this song:
On Easter weekend in early 413 A.D., the King of Ireland decreed that he would be the first to light a fire in honor of the festival of Beltane, one of the Celtic deities. It was ordered that no other fire or candle be lit before his. St. Patrick, despite the death threats he was receiving, defied the king.
On Easter Eve St. Patrick, as an act of worship, put torch to a bonfire atop Slane Hill, a neighboring hill upon which the king was to light his fire. In doing so, Patrick declared that Jesus was the only true light.
The king was so impressed by St. Patrick’s boldness and devotion to God that he allowed Patrick to continue his missionary work unhindered.
Dallan, who was a teacher at a monastery on the coast of Ireland, wanted his students to have the same kind of faith. His witness went much farther than the song, however.
When Dallan refused the pirates’ orders to bow and worship them and their gods, the enraged pirates beheaded him in front of his students.
The actions of Patrick and Dallan both testified to the truth of Jesus’ claim of being the “light.” Following Jesus means that we see our world through the lens of His teaching, His sacrificial death and the power of His resurrection.
As with Patrick, it shows us what is important — even when others may oppose us. As with Dallan, it shows us that this life is not the only one we are live for.
Each of us needs a light to guide our actions, thoughts and desires – especially in hard times.
The opposition may be other people or only the circumstances of life, but the light that Christ gives allows us to take the next step with certainty, no matter how frightening it may be.
RESPOND
Questions to Consider
- What am I facing right now for which I need Jesus as my light?
- What would He say, do or desire of me as I face this difficulty?
Prayer
The Collect for St. Patrick’s Feast in the Book of Common Prayer is a prayer that echoes Patrick’s desire to bring the light of Christ to the world, starting by welcoming His light into our lives. Begin with this prayer, then move to praying the hymn.
Almighty God, who in Your providence chose Your servant Patrick to be the apostle of the Irish people, to bring those who were wandering in darkness and error to the true light and knowledge of You, Grant us so to walk in that light, that we may come at last to the light of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever.
“Be Thou My Vision”
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night;
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord.
Thou my great Father; Thine own may I be,
Thou in me dwelling and I one with Thee.
Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art,
High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heavens Sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Blessings,
Rev. James R. Needham, PhD, MDiv