Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of
Saint Patrick (17th March, 2017) on the Gospel and the Feast
1Pt 4:7b-11;
Ps 96:1-3.7-8.9-10. (R. v.3);Lk 5:1-11.
According to the Confession of Patrick, Saint Patrick (Apostle
of Ireland) was captured by Irish pirates from his home in Great Britain when he
was about 16, and taken as a slave to Ireland. He reunited with his family after
six years and later returned to northern and western Ireland as a missionary
and later a bishop.
He is the patron of Ireland, Nigeria, Montserrat,
Archdiocese of New York, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, Boston, Rolla,
Missouri (USA), Loíza, Puerto Rico, Murcia (Spain), Clann Giolla Phádraig,
engineers, paralegals, and Archdiocese of Melbourne. He is also invoked against
snakes, and sins. Saint Patrick is
venerated today, 17 March, which is said to be the date of his death[1].
Topic: You are very important.
In today’s gospel Peter, Andrew, James, and John were washing
their nets after all night fishing without success when Jesus came. He taught
the people from Peter’s boat. After His teaching, Jesus said to them, “Put out
into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Although Peter
expressed their ordeals, he went on to say “Yet if you say so, I will let down
the nets.” And “When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their
nets were beginning to break.” Although Peter pleaded with Jesus to leave them
yet He said to them, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching
people.”
Saint Patrick also had his own ordeals. Yet after regaining
his freedom and became a priest, he went back to the land of his captivity and
preached the gospel tirelessly. His apostolate was so much felt that he is not celebrated
in Ireland by the church alone but also by the entire country.
Each and every one of us has history dented with lots of
things including setbacks, mistakes, anxieties, disappointments, difficulties,
and so on. Some have resigned to fate and cannot see any future again. Today’s
gospel and the life of Saint Patrick encourage us to listen to Jesus as He
instructs us. Let no one be tied down to his/her past. God still has better
plans for you and me. He will do a new thing in our lives, cf. Is 43:19; Jer 31:22. He only demands of
us to obey Him like Peter and his colleagues and continue to move on after the
example of Saint Patrick. If we do these, we will be amazed at what God will turn
our weaknesses and disappointments into. God is saying to each and every one of
us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2Cor 12:9). What is sown in dishonour will
be raised in glory and what is sown in weakness will be raised in power, cf. 1Cor 15:43.
Bible Reading: Is 43:1-21.
Thought for today: Allow God to use you.
Let us pray: May the good Lord help us surrender
our lives to Him – Amen.
Saint Patrick – Pray for us.
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others if you consider it worthy.
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May
God bless you all+
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