Pray With St Patrick

Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice O earth Break forth into song you mountains Lord comforts His people And shows mercy to His afflicted Isaiah 49:13 We commemorate St. Patrick A fifth century bishop And former slave Famous for driving snakes out of Ireland I’ve never been to Ireland Plus I live where there are no dangerous snakes So his deed didn’t hold much meaning for me Until I realized that snakes are also an image for the unpleasant forces that can sliter Slide into human existence Gossip for instance Poisonous relationships Squeezes the life of families And communities What might be afflicting us now? St. Patrick is beloved because he offered God’s mercy to free people from what afflicted them Bringing God’s comfort and the assurance that God never forgets them Even when they forsake Him Let’s rejoice in praying with St. Patrick Mary Marrocco Turned to Poetry: Jac R. M. Poetry Form: Free Verse