Saint of the Day
St. Patrick
St. Patrick (c. 385–461) was a Romano-British Christian missionary who became the patron saint of Ireland. At age sixteen he was captured by Irish pirates and enslaved for six years. After escaping, he trained for the priesthood and returned to Ireland as a bishop to evangelize the pagan Irish. His own writings — the Confession and the Letter to Coroticus — survive. He is credited with converting the Irish kingdoms and establishing the framework of the Irish church. His feast is celebrated globally on March 17.
Scripture Reading
Romans 10:14-15
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"
Reflection
Patrick was enslaved in Ireland as a teenager and escaped — then went back voluntarily to bring the gospel to the people who had enslaved him. Romans 10 captures the logic that drove him: faith requires hearing, and hearing requires someone willing to go. Beautiful feet are not graceful feet; they are feet worn down by the journey toward the person who has not yet heard.
Prayer for Today
Dear Precious God of our fathers, comfort our dear friends as they are homesick. Remind them that they are in Your loving care and that You are always with them even when they are not able to spend time with the loved ones that they left behind. Help them to remember the words of Your Son when he said Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
Amen.