March 17, 2023
Dear Peace Members and Friends,
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Most Americans—even those who are not Irish, and even those who don’t go to Church—know that it’s St. Patrick’s Day (unlike say, St. Olaf of Norway or St. Brigitta of Sweden!). This is the day when people celebrate Ireland’s most famous saint by doing “saintly” things—like drinking green beer, eating corned beef and cabbage, or singing, “And when Irish eyes are smiling, sure they’ll steal your heart away!”
Of course, there’s more to St. Patrick’s Day than eating, drinking, and singing. Remembering St. Patrick’s example, for one. St. Patrick lived in 5th century Great Britain in a place that was under control by the Roman Empire. When Patrick was 15 years-old, a group of Irish pirates attacked Patrick’s village, killed many relatives, and took him hostage. They dragged the 15 year-old Patrick to Ireland and sold him into slavery. Imagine the teenager Patrick, stuck on that farm in ancient Ireland. How did he cope with the day-to-day drudgery? How did he deal with his sorrow and his fears? No internet! No cell phone! No cable TV!
How did he deal with his confinement? Patrick told us. He dealt with his confinement by praying to Jesus, talking with Jesus, listening to Jesus. As he would later say, his prayer to Christ was the one thing that got him through. He was ordained a bishop, so that he could go back to Ireland and build up the tiny Christian church there. He went back to the place and the people that had mistreated him. Patrick spent the rest of his days energetically preaching the Good News, caring for the poor, reconciling enemies, building up monasteries, spreading the message of Jesus. Thanks be to God for saints like Patrick!
Coming up this weekend is the 4th Sunday in Lent. Have you ever wondered why we crucified a wonderful person like Jesus? Jesus loved children; Jesus loved everyone. So why was he crucified? Sunday’s Gospel—the story of the healing of the Blind Man—is a story that explains the answer to that question. I’ll say more in message titled, “Sight to the Blind.” The Peace Choir will be singing and we’ll share in Holy Communion. A good Sunday ahead!
On Sunday in Adult Education (10:45am), we’ll pick up the discussion begun in January on “Christian Nationalism.”
Thank you to those who have already contributed money and/or clothing items toward baby care kits and personal care kits for our Lenten outreach with Lutheran World Relief. We haven’t heard much about the suffering in the daily news. But it continues. If you haven’t already contributed or want further information, just stop by the Narthex table. Thank you!
Last of all, our prayers go with the family of David Chatfield. He will be buried in a private service today. Our condolences go with his wife, Donna, and their two sons, Dake and Kurt. Blessed be David’s memory.
A good St. Patrick’s Day to you all! See you on Sunday!
Mark