Reflection: Tuesday, March 17—St. Patrick’s Day  Ez 47:1-9, 12/Jn 5:1-16

Today’s readings continue the theme of prophetic hope and healing in hard times. Ezekiel’s vision of healing water flowing from all sides of the Temple to nourish abundant fruit trees provides an image of God’s super-abundant blessings. The gospel passage narrates Jesus’ healing of a crippled man near the pool of Bethesda. Jesus listens deeply to the crippled man’s complaint that his disability prevents him from getting into the waters quickly enough when the waters were stirred. Without fuss, Jesus simply tells him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” Without hesitation, the man embraces the miracle and walks.      

Listening is such an important skill in most situations, for both the listener and for the speaker. Jesus listens deeply to the man and is clear in his response. The man, on his part, acts on Jesus’ words with faith that they will be effective.

Reflection: Do I really listen when someone speaks to me? Or is my mind on my agenda for the day or busy solving a problem? What opportunities do I have to reach out to people in need, those disabled in some dimension of their lives?

In the Calendar of Christian Saints, today is St. Patrick’s Day. Beyond the modern commercial packaging of the day’s festivities, there exists a deep lesson in listening to God’s call and responding in faith. Patrick heard God call him to bring the Christian faith to the Irish people, while he was a kidnapped youth on the island. Many years later he responded to that invitation with his whole life as a bishop. Through Patrick, the Irish people not only accepted Christianity but also labored over the centuries to bring the light of faith around the world.

A blessing for St. Patrick’s Day

“May the road rise to meet you" is a traditional Irish blessing which wishes someone success, safety, and comfort in their life. It is often used as a goodbye, toast, or toast at weddings to express good fortune, including wishes for wind at the person’s back, sun on the face, and divine protection on life’s journey.

"May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.