What a beautiful time of year during Lent to reflect upon the goodness of the Lord and all He has done for us. St. Patrick, of Ireland, loved the scripture verse, "What return can I make for all the good You have done for me?" Ps 116: 12"
Coming home from a 2006 pilgrimage to Ireland, the theme of which was "Follow in the Footsteps of St. Patrick," I read his Confession... on the airplane. Inspired by him and his writing, I wrote these questions so that I could reflect on the answers for my own life. I pray they may be of benefit to you.- St. Patrick saw all he had as a gift.
Do I see all I have as a gift from God?
"Every good and perfect gift is from above"...Jas 1:17
"Every good and perfect gift is from above"...Jas 1:17
- Patrick spoke of converting with his whole heart.
Have I converted with my whole heart?
If not, have I asked God for the grace
to convert with my whole heart?
If not, have I asked God for the grace
to convert with my whole heart?
- Patrick spoke of making a return to God for all his benefits.
What return am I making
for all the good he has done for me?
for all the good he has done for me?
- Patrick’s writings were out of the thanksgiving of his heart.
How will I demonstrate my thanksgiving to God?
- Patrick used the words, “cry out.”
Is the Lord asking me to cry out
for someone or something?
for someone or something?
- Patrick was prepared to give his life without hesitation.
Am I willing to give even my life?
If I am not, do I pray for this grace and strength?
If I am not, do I pray for this grace and strength?
- Patrick said God had mercy on him thousands and thousands of times.
How has God shown his mercy to me?
Be specific. Take time to see God’s mercy
from the time I was born unto now.
Be specific. Take time to see God’s mercy
from the time I was born unto now.
- Patrick prayed for perseverance to be a faithful witness to the end of his life.
Do I pray for perseverance?
Do I truly want to be a faithful witness?
Do I truly want to be a faithful witness?
- St. Patrick was unlearned; he had not had an opportunity to study like other men.
In our day and age,
when we have been given so many
educational opportunities,
how much more responsibility do we have?
when we have been given so many
educational opportunities,
how much more responsibility do we have?
- Patrick stressed that God had poured out the Holy Spirit abundantly upon him.
Do I pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit
upon myself and others?
upon myself and others?
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Sheila
These are great questions to ask myself. And do you know what it tells me? I have my work cut out for me :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Sheila! And the pictures of Ireland are stunning! What a beautiful country.
Thank you, Mary. I hope you can go there one day.
ReplyDelete