BLESSED AND NOT LUCKY

Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held on March 17, the traditional date of death for Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland. The Feast day of Saint Patrick, actually and interestingly commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. This day is celebrated by attending parades, wearing shamrocks, wearing green, and even drinking Irish beer and whiskey that has been colored green, with many attending Catholic Mass or Service.

The shamrock was introduced into the St Patrick's Day tradition because it was a plant that was originally utilized by St. Patrick to remind him of the trinity due to its three-leaf formation. It was during the early 1900's or the early 20th century that the reference to the bible was completely eradicated from the historical account. This was a period in the history of the Irish that was filled with political unrest and famine. The Irish were considered one of the most unfortunate people in the world.

This was the period of time that the usual entrance of commercialism resulted in the shamrock being reduced from a reference to the Trinity to a symbol of Good Luck in order to sell greeting cards.

You should also remember the original Irish name for leprechauns who are figures of folklore is “lobaircin,” meaning “small-bodied fellow.”

Widespread belief in leprechauns generally stemmed from Celtic acceptance of fairies, tiny men and women who could use their magical powers to serve good or evil. In Celtic folktales, leprechauns were cranky souls, responsible for mending the shoes of the other fairies. Though only minor figures in Celtic folklore, leprechauns were known for their trickery, which they often used to protect their private treasure. The belief was that if a person was lucky enough, these diminutive figures might be fooled into unavailing the location of their treasure. This sounds like many individuals in the world today that would utilize trickery to protect their treasure verses trusting God as well as those that would even seek to enjoy monetary gain obtained by trickery.

I am glad we are taught clearly from the word of God that we are blessed and it has nothing to with LUCK! God created giving so that we can be blessed. Giving was not created to get money for the church or for God, but it was created to remove selfishness and greed from our lives.

God told us that the quality of our heart is a function of what we are willing to support financially. In Matthew 6:21 we are told, “For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” This means your heart will be where you are willing to place your money. In Deuteronomy 30:19 we are told, “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that you and your seed may live.”

This says that being blessed is a choice we all have that God has placed before each individual. We have chosen to be blessed and giving is the avenue through which God has created to facilitate blessings in our lives. We are all aware of the principle that says whatever you give, you are going to get more back in return. Consequently, once we learn to give we will be compelled to give good things so that more good things or blessings will accrue to our lives.

 We are blessed and not lucky, so let us commit to doing what is necessary to attract God's best into our lives!

-Bishop Tommie A. Murphy

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