Carry the gospel with you

Gospel reading of the day:

Luke 6:36-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

Reflection on the gospel reading: In this gospel passage, Jesus explains true conversion by way of illustration. Jesus certainly encourages us to engage in acts of mercy, tolerance, acceptance, forgiveness, and generosity. But even more, he invites us to become merciful, tolerant, accepting, forgiving, and generous. Individual acts of goodness are important, but Jesus calls Christians to radiate these attributes from our very being: to become like birds lifted high on the gentle breezes of compassion, encouragement, love, grace, and hospitality or fish who swim in oceans of kindness, patience, pardon, cooperation, and good will.

Saint of the day: Being Irish, today has an especial meaning to me. The immigration of the Irish throughout the world has brought about a wide recognition of the name of Patrick, whose feast we celebrate this day. Patrick is also my brother’s name, and I remember him fondly today on his patron’s feast.

Saint Patrick was born between 387 and 390 in Scotland as Maewyn Succat. He was kidnapped from the British island around age 16 and shipped to Ireland as a slave and sent to the mountains as a shepherd. Tending the flocks, he spent his time in prayer. After six years of this life, he received a dream in which he received a command to return to Britain. Seeing it as a sign, he escaped. He studied in continental monasteries, became a priest and then a bishop.

He was sent to evangelize England and then Ireland. During this time, his chariot driver was Saint Odran, and Saint Jarlath was one of his spiritual students. In 33 years he effectively converted Ireland to Christianity. In the Middle Ages, Ireland became known as the Land of Saints, and during the Dark Ages its monasteries were the great repositories of learning in Europe, all a consequence of Patrick’s ministry. Patrick died 461-464 at Saul, County Down, Ireland.

Spiritual reading of the day:

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
(St. Patrick)