St. Patrick's Day 2023

Today, we celebrate the life of St. Patrick, who is known for bringing Christianity to Ireland. And when we think of St. Patrick, we often think of the shamrock - a little plant with three leaves.

Now, what's so special about the shamrock? Well, St. Patrick used the shamrock to teach the people of Ireland about the Holy Trinity - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Just like the shamrock has three leaves, but is still one plant, the Holy Trinity has three persons, but is still one God.

In today's Gospel reading from Mark, we hear about a scribe who asks Jesus which commandment is the greatest. And Jesus responds by saying, "The first is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

So, what does this have to do with the shamrock? Well, just like the shamrock has three leaves that are united as one, we are called to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. These two commandments may seem separate, but they are actually connected. When we love God with all that we are, we are better able to love others, and when we love others, we are showing our love for God.

St. Patrick understood the importance of loving God and loving others, and he used the shamrock to teach this lesson to the people of Ireland. And today, we can look to the shamrock as a reminder of this important message.

So, as we celebrate St. Patrick's Day today, let us remember to love God with all that we are, and to show that love to others. And let us pray that God will continue to bless us and guide us on our journey of faith. Amen.