A Concord Pastor Comments

3/19/26

Saint Joseph - and the counfounding mystery of my own life...

March 19 is the feast of Saint Joseph which falls in Lent but since everything we know about Joseph comes from the Christmas story, we find ourselves back at the circumstances surrounding the nativity of Jesus.

Over 2,000 years ago, when Christ was about to be born, only Mary and Joseph knew the whole story of what was about to happen.... Can't you just imagine Mary asking, “Joseph… are you ready for this?”

We know there was at least one moment when Joseph was not ready for this: when he was ready only to quietly break off his betrothal to Mary - but then an angel spoke to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, be not afraid…”

Be not afraid – of what? Be not afraid of taking Mary into his home as his wife? Of caring for a child he knew he had not fathered?

Yes, all of that.. but so much more! The angel was telling Joseph, "Be not afraid of how the mystery of God is weaving itself into your life, into your relationship with Mary and into your whole future. Be not afraid, Joseph, of how the mystery of God will touch your life, shape your life, turn your life around and stand it on its head!"

Like Joseph, all of us face times when God has allowed things to happen or has allowed things not to happen, that intimately touch, shape and turn our lives around in ways we never dreamed would happen, in ways we wish had never happened, in ways we prayed would never happen...

And in all of this the word to us is precisely the angel’s word to Joseph in his dream:

"Be not afraid because in everything,

and in all things

- God is with you...”

"Joseph, are you ready for this?" To be ready is to renew our faith, our trust, in all the ways the mystery of God’s presence is weaving itself into our lives: touching and shaping and turning our lives around in ways we had never have imagined, dreamed or asked for. And most of all, to be ready is to trust that God is with us in everything and in all things...

Take a moment today to imagine Joseph's doubts, his anticipation, his anger… his regrets, his fears, his wonder, his confusion, his awe… And, imagine yourself in Joseph's dream... Imagine Joseph putting his fears aside and handing his troubles over to God...

Pause for Prayer

I come to you this day, Lord, with a heart

   sometimes ready, sometimes not so ready,
       to trust you, follow you, love you...

My problems, my worries, my burdens
    sometimes loom larger than life

and back me into corners where I feel alone

   and I wonder where you've brought me,
       where you'll lead me - even if you're still with me...

Lord, my heart needs a dream, an angel, a message
   reminding me not to be afraid...

Remind me as you reminded Joseph
   that with you I can face all things,
       accept all things, do all things,
           endure all things...

Especially when my life and my heart
   are spun around and upside down;
when my sense of direction fails me;
   when I fear the path I'm walking,
remind me then, Lord, not to be afraid,

to trust you're by my side
and that with you I can be ready

for whatever comes my way...

I come today, Lord, with a heart

sometimes ready and sometimes not so ready,

but ready or not, Lord

- here I come -

and here I am and here I stand

in need of your love, in need of your grace,

today and every day of my life...

Saint Joseph,

pray for me and watch over me

as you cared for Jesus

in your arms and in your home

and in your heart..

Amen.

This song is about Joseph and his circumstances

but all of us might relate to this line in the refrain:

"Father tell me where I fit into this plan of yours..."

Jsoeph's Song by Michael Card
- performed by Chris Brunelle

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How could it be, this baby in my arms

Sleeping now, so peacefully

The Son of God, the angel said

How could it be?

Lord I know He's not my own

Not of my flesh, not of my bone

Still Father let this baby be

Son of my love

Father tell me where I fit into this plan of yours

How can a man be father to the Son of God

Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter

How can I raise a king, How can I raise a king ?

He looks so small, His face and hands so fair

And when He cries the sun just seems to disappear

But when He laughs it shines again

How could it be?

Father tell me where I fit into this plan of yours

How can a man be father to the Son of God

Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter

How can I raise a king, How can I raise a king?

How could it be, this baby in my arms

Sleeping now, so peacefully

The Son of God, the angel said

How could it be?

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3/18/26

I'm feeling fine - and hope to feel even finer after a few days away! Posting will be light meanwhile but I'll be back to my usual schedule sometime on Saturday!

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Pause for Prayer: WEDNESDAY 3/18

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3/17/26

NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 3/17

Tonight's prayer, the Patrick Compline, comes to us from the Nothumbria Community. (The word Compline is derived from the Old French word complir: to complete or bring to an end) This prayer combines lines from The Lorica of Saint Patrick (see this morning's Pause for Prayer - and tonight's song, below) with the verses of Psalm 16 - and ends with three beautiful blessings.

In the name of the King of life;
in the name of the Christ of love;
in the name of the Holy Spirit:
the Triune of my strength.

I love you, O Lord my strength.

The Lord is my rock,
   my fortress and my deliverer.
My God is my rock
   in whom I take refuge.

I will praise the Lord who counsels me;
   even at night my heart instructs me.

I have set the Lord always before me.
Because He is at my right hand,
   I shall not be shaken.

I place my soul and my body
   under your guarding this night, O Christ.

May your cross, this night be my shield.

Into Your hands I commend my spirit:
   redeem me, O Lord, the God of Truth.

The God of life with guarding hold you;
   the loving Christ with guarding fold you;
       the Holy Spirit, guarding, mold you;
   each night of life to aid, enfold you;
       each day and night of life uphold you.

May God shield me;
   may God fill me;
       may God keep me;
may God watch me;
   may God bring me
       to the nearness of His love.

The peace of the Father of joy,
   the peace of the Christ of hope,
       the peace of the Spirit of grace,
   the peace of every peace
       be mine throughout this night.

Amen.

This haunting musical setting of The Lorica is the work of Arvo Part. Of the several versions I've posted today, this is my favorite: this composer knows how to reach my soul...

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Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ on my right, Christ on my left
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down
Christ in me, Christ when I arise
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me
Christ in every eye that sees me
Christ in every ear that hears me
Christ with me

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Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

A clever friend created this image and included that little leprechaun lapel pin that another friend gave me some 20 years ago or more!

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Pause for Prayer: SAINT PATRICK'S DAY

Our prayer today is one usually attributed to Saint Patrick (387-461 A.D.) and goes by two titles: The Lorica (breastplate or shield) of St. Patrick and The Deer's Cry. Here are three musical settings of the prayer, followed by shorter and long longer samplings of the complete text.

1) The first is Shaun Davey's setting of much of the prayer's text, sung by Rita Connolly.

2) Second is Dwight Beal's adaptation of the Lorica text with a beautiful melody. Arvo Part's haunting choral setting of the section, "Christ with me..." The music here is powerful and haunting: this composer knows his way into my soul...

3) Next is Sir John Rutter's choral setting, "A Prayer of St. Patrick." (As many of you know, I love all of Rutter's work!)

4) And finally, the last entry below, a longer selection from the complete text of the Lorica.

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☘ ☘ ☘ ☘ ☘

The Lorica of Saint Patrick

Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,

Christ in the heart of every one who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me,

Christ in the eye that sees me,

Christ in the ear that hears me.

Christ to win me
Christ to comfort and restore me
Christ in quiet
Christ in danger
Christ in hearts of all that love me
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

The Lorica of St. Patrick

I arise today

through a mighty strength,

the invocation of the Trinity,

through a belief in the Threeness,

through confession of the Oneness

of the Creator of creation.

I arise today

through the strength

of Christ's birth and his baptism,

through the strength

of his crucifixion and his burial,

through the strength

of his resurrection and his ascension...

I arise today

through the strength of the love of angels...

in the hope of the resurrection,

in the prayers of ancestors in the faith,

in the preaching of the apostles,

in the faith of martyrs

in the innocence and purity

of the deeds of the righteous.

I arise today

through the strength of heaven;

Light of the sun,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightning,

Swiftness of the wind,

Depth of the sea,

Stability of the earth,

Firmness of the rock.

I arise today

through God's strength to pilot me;

God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's eye to look before me,

God's ear to hear me,

God's word to speak for me,

God's hand to guard me,

God's way to lie before me,

God's shield to protect me,

God's hosts to save me

from snares of the devil,

from temptations of vices,

from every one who desires me ill,

afar and anear,

alone or in a multitude.

I summon today

all these powers between me and evil,

against every cruel merciless power

that opposes my body and soul,

against false prophets,

false laws and idolatry...

Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,

Christ in the heart of every one who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me,

Christ in the eye that sees me,

Christ in the ear that hears me.

Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ in quiet,
Christ in danger.
Christ in hearts of all that love me
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I arise today

through a mighty strength,

the invocation of the Trinity,

through a belief in the Threeness,

through a confession of the Oneness

of the Creator of creation.

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3/16/26

NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 3/16

.
My life was born of your love, Lord,
   and your love sustains me, night and day...

My heart is nurtured by your love, Lord,
   without it my soul would waste away...

My spirit's restored by your love, Lord,
   your grace heals the wounds of all my sins...

My life is redeemed by your love, Lord,
   my soul is saved by your grace...

I place all my trust in you, my God,
   my hope is in your saving Word...

In return for my life, Lord,
   in thanksgiving for your love,
I want to know and do your will...

Give me your counsel
   in every thought I entertain:
give me wisdom
   that all my thoughts might please you...

In all the decisions I'll face, Lord,
    give me the light of your truth
      and the courage I need to choose wisely...

In planning and spending my time, Lord:
   give me strength to work,
      a place to pray

and time to rest in your peace...

Remind me, when worries steal my day,
today's the day that you've made, Lord,
the day I'm called to live...

When unexpected turns surprise me

    give me insight and strength to manage
       what tries to manage me...

In the quiet of my prayer tonight,
   help me review my life, Lord,
      and your love for me
         and my fidelity to your word...

In the stillness here with you, Lord,
   help me count my foolish sins
      and your healing mercy in my heart...

In return for my life, O Lord,
   in thanksgiving for all your love,
    help me know and do your will...

Amen.

My God Is All I Need by CityAlight

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3/15/26

Monday Morning Offering: 3/16

Good morning, good God!

So, Lent’s half over, Lord,

and Easter's only three weeks away...

I should be at least half-prepared,

half-ready to celebrate Easter

- but I’m not!

Back on Ash Wednesday I was doing OK,

right up 'til, oh,

maybe the First Sunday of Lent.

(I know, Lord - that was only 4 days!)

So, I offer you my sketchy record here

and ask you to forgive my unkept Lenten pledges…

I acknowledge my lack of self-discipline

- and how I excuse myself so easily...

So many promises, Lord,

made with firm intentions,

but all too often a real FAIL in follow-through…

I confess my laziness,

hoping you'll forgive me

and accept my renewed pledge

to pray more often,

to sacrifice some things I crave

and to reach out to the poor…

And this time, Lord,

let me not try to do this on my own

but rather

to depend and lean on you...

Be with me, Lord,

and be my strength in every temptation,

especially when I'm tempted

to give up on Lent,

on you

or on me...

• When I put off prayer,

draw me to a quiet place

and sit me down to be with you,

to speak with you

and rest, calmly, in your presence…

• When I’m tempted to indulge myself

on what I’ve given up for Lent

(or on anything else, for that matter!)

remind me of my pledge and the reason for it:

to empty out my fullness

and to learn from hunger

what truly feeds my mind and heart...

• When I spend first on myself

and consume more than I need.

show me how much I already have

(and where and how I have too much)

and help me be more generous

to those with little or nothing at all…

And if I’ve failed from the very beginning

to pray and fast and sacrifice,

let today be my “Ash Sunday,”

"day one" of Lent for me:

this day's the day that you’ve made, Lord,

a day for me to grow in your mercy and your grace...

Lord, I offer you my renewed Lenten pledge:

strengthen my resolve,

deepen my commitment

and keep me faithful to you

as I prepare for Easter

and the peace you offer me...

Amen.

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NIGHT PRAYER: Sunday 3/15

On Sundays, Night Prayer takes its lead from some element from the day's liturgy. Today is the Third Sunday of Lent, the half-way point of this season, a day often called "Latetare (Latin for Rejoice!) Sunday.... In an email this morning, a friend reminded me of how in Advent, I have in my homily sometimes broken into song with "We Need A Little Christmas" from the musical, "Mame!" (Video) He mused that in the days at hand, "We Need a Little Easter!" I thought that to be a great connection with Laetare Sunday - thus tonight's prayer...

It's true, Lord:

We need a little Easter!

This Earth we call our common home thirsts

for a springtime of renewal and waits

for the sun to rise with light and warmth

to coax new growth

from what's lain buried in cold ground

these long, dark wintry months...

Humanity's spirit, Lord,

needs a little Easter!

The world's people hunger

for Passover's bread of affliction*

to be shared as the bread of freedom;

for the paschal dough of Jesus' bread

to rise in our communion...

And our nation's tortured soul, Lord

- needs a little Easter!

We need to be raised up - and out

of what splits and divides us;

we need to be delivered, renewed

as those who claim, In God we trust;

we need to know once more

that all that rises must converge...

We need the earth to shake again

and shudder in amazement

that you have conquered sin and death:

our sin and our death;

that you have risen from the grave

of selfishness and envy, of grudge and greed,

of lust and hate, of lies and threats,

of all that has entombed us

in our prejudice and pride...

We need a little Easter, Lord

- we need a lot of Easter, Lord!

We need the peace you offered us

in laying down your life;

we need the grace that saves us

in your rising from the dead;

we need the life that can be ours

if we but rise with you...

Oh, yes - we need a little Easter, Lord,

that we might rise again

with you and in your peace...

Protect us, Lord while we're awake
and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

* In Jewish tradition, Passover matzo is called "the bread of affliction" — of suffering — and also "the bread of freedom" Those are two main themes of the story of Passover ... fleeing oppression and finding liberation.

I Am the Bread of Life by Susanne Toolan, RSM