17 March 2016
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent (St. Patrick’s Day)
Today is St. Patrick’s Day. In many dioceses, like the one in which I live, it is a welcomed rest day from the Lenten purple, and our Gospel strikes a chord inviting us to join in on joy and merry-making; in “The wearing of the green.” “If a man is true to my word, he shall never see death,” Jesus tells us in the Gospel. Translated: since Abraham all humanity, all nations are orientated toward the coming of Jesus, who promises us eternal life. That is the cause of our hope and of our joy. Everyone is called to pass from life to death. But God engraves on all of history and on each one of us individually his design, which is to incorporate us into the Body of Christ, to endow us with life eternal. Each day we come closer to the realization of that moment. Green is the color of hope. Suggestion: Get a copy of St. Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer and reflect on in the light of today’s readings. Also, “the wearing of the green” gives strength to our prayer in this election year. Our Lady of Hope, Patroness of our country, pray for us.