March 17
March 17, 2011 (Thursday)
Today is St. Patrick’s Day. Saint Patrick lived in the 400’s and is the patron saint of Ireland. They say that Saint Patrick used a clover to teach the doctrine of the Trinity. The clover was an illustration: as the clover is three-in-one (three leaves on one plant), so God is three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), yet one God. Saint Patrick died on this date in the year 461.
Originally this was a religious holiday, but it has become a worldwide celebration of Irish heritage. Parades are held and there is much celebration. The holiday has gotten so mainstream that the McDonald’s Shamrock Shake – which is only available at this time of year – has developed a cult following concerned with tracking the shake and when it becomes available across the nation.
Like many Americans, my genealogy stretches back into many nationalities, and part of that family tree is Irish, or so I’ve been told. As the saying goes, everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. Here’s an old Irish Blessing for you:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.