Second Week of Lent
Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight; be thou my whole armor, be thou my true might; be thou my soul’s shelter, be thou my strong tow’r, O raise thou me heav’nward, great pow’r of my pow’r.
T his is a fitting hymn on this feast of St. Patrick because its verses come from an Irish poem from the Middle Ages. The lyrics take the shape of a lorica, a prayer for protection that was developed by medieval Irish monks. A lorica calls upon imagery used by St. Paul—a breastplate and sword (see Ephesians 6:14)—to invoke God’s power as a defense against evil.
Patrick knew what it meant to be defenseless. He was kidnapped and sold into slavery as a boy, and after running away and finding his freedom, he returned to the place of his captivity to evangelize the people there. He would not have survived through his own strength. With Patrick, we find armor and might in our faith, for God is our shelter and our strength.
Prayer for Morning
God, High King of Heaven, you protect us with your love. Help me find a home in you so I may dwell in the safety of your providing care. Keep me safe and give me strength to resist evil. Great Father, be my soul’s shelter.
Ponder Today
How can I invite God to change the way I see the world today? What might it be like to see this day unfold with God’s vision?
Prayer for Evening
God, High King of Heaven, you see into our hearts and call us toward your wisdom and truth. Help me develop the attentiveness to hear you speak and the humility to depend on you. Great Father, be my true might.
Amy McEntee
Kimberly Kay Cox
Mark Mogilka
Armando Cervantes
Anna Betancourt
Andrea Chavez-Kopp