Psalm 139 excerpts
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
Excerpts from St. Patrick’s Breastplate
I bind unto myself today
The strong name of the Trinity:
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead:
His eye to watch, his might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need;
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, his shield to ward;
The Word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard!Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
Reflection:
We invite you to read the familiar words from Psalm 139 above slowly. Perhaps as you read the words like “sit down”, “stand up” and “go down to the grave” you imagine yourself in a space where you’re doing those things. Perhaps you can even imagine God with you in those places. We invite you to read and pray the words of St. Patrick. This prayer was spoken as a prayer of protection for St. Patrick. What does the prayer bring to mind for you today?