A Lorica is a prayer recited for protection in which the petitioner invokes the power of God as a safeguard against evil. lōrīca originally meant “armor” or “breastplate.” The title is taken from St. Patrick’s Breastplate, his much loved prayer written in 433 A.D.
Today in Cana, a village not far from Nazareth, the village where the disciple Nathanael grew up in a small house built into the hill, a young couple, a boy and a girl, friends or maybe relatives of Mary, are celebrating their marriage. Was the love of this boy and girl not also a sign of the day of union of Christ and his bride the Church? And furthermore is that greater union, of Christ and the Church not also a sign? A sign of the love that eternally flows between Father, Son and Spirit.
The flesh of man now made the glorious apparel of Christ is glorious because it is a manifestation of His love. What shall we do in response to this love? We must follow him. We must become as little children, because he became a little child.
Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard? That the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not neither is weary. He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might, he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.
Last Sunday After Pentecost 2024
Feast of Jesus Christ The King 2024
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Today Our Lord sets forth the standard of conduct for his followers. Fr. Patrick reflects on this commandment, its implications for Christian thought and action, and one of the greater temptations to threaten Christians along the way.
Christ is Risen! Alleluia! The Lord is risen from the dead, and has trampled death underfoot. How is it that we still experience sickness and sorrow? What last holdout must death have that we must pass through it to reach the Lord? Fr. Patrick talks about peace and joy reigning in the midst of sorrows. And finding Our King as he reigns among his enemies.
“Henceforth ye shall be fishers of men” These are the Lord's words to the Apostles, and to everyone who would follow him when they are called. “Go out to the nations, and shine as a lamp on a hill; drawing men out of the darkness and depths.” And yet, we often fish the night away and greet morning empty-handed. The net tears and breaks and we are left bruised and battered with nothing to show. Often the boat feels as though it may be dragged down into the waters, leaving us to the cold, unfeeling deep. How do we see darkness if we are with the Light? How is there turmoil when the Prince of Peace sails with us? Fr. Patrick talks today about the very first commission, the call of the Lord to his chief soldiers. And how even at the beginning, we see what is to come.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Behold the great mystery - the Herdsman who will not suffer even one of his flock to be lost, but will himself go into the brambles and thorns to retrieve them. Yea, though I walk the depths of the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me. Fr. Patrick discusses spiritual warfare, the power of peace, and trust; and what God himself tells us is the way of Life.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life” saith the Lord of Hosts, “except ye eat my flesh, and drink my blood, yet have no life in you.” Is it not said that we are as we eat? Is it not true that the matter we consume is the same matter of which we are comprised? .…is it really so surprising that the God of body and spirit should save us with the same means by which we fell? On this Blessed Feast of Corpus Christi, Fr. Patrick reflects on the great mystery of salvation, the true presence of the Lord, and the most powerful commandment we have ever received.…
Supernatural Provision, prosperity, wealth, abundance. All of these have been promised by many in the name of our reading today. Some have even promised direct material gain from it. Riches, a new car, a full tank of gas, a pantry full of incredible delicacies. Will we really be given anything we ask for? Are there no limits to this promise? Ought we ask for anything at all? Today Fr. Patrick discusses the true abundance and provision of God. The real, supernatural blessing of The Lord. And the only true request worthy of the name of Jesus Christ.…
Christ is Risen! Alleluia! If any have toiled from the first hour, let them receive their due reward; And if any delayed until the ninth hour, let him not hesitate; but let him come too. And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid by reason of his delay. For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, as well as to him that toiled from the first. Today Fr. Patrick preaches the hope and assurance of the resurrection. And meditates on where we go and what we should do now that Our Lord is victorious.
Lo the Blessed Cross is displayed Where the Lord in the flesh was suspended And by his blood from his wounds Cleansed and redeemed his Elect.
As Christ and his followers spend the week in prayer; the Enemy gathers his men for preparations of their own. The listless wanderers of the night at last set about to a purpose. The practitioners of impiety have suffered what little they can stand, and they will have payment for it. For they have never been known to forgive even the smallest of debts. “Behold: I set before you life, and death; blessing, and curses.” No longer can the curtain of darkness shroud the secret plottings of the night. For Light is on Death's doorstep, and its gate shall not prevail.
“As was his custom” These are the words used by St. Luke the Evangelist to describe the prayer life of Christ. Yesterday we were given an example in Mary, sister of Lazarus, of piety, devotion, and sacrifice. But what of the Lord himself? Today Fr. Patrick discusses the piety and devotion of the Son of God. The perfect manifestation of the Law of God, who lacks nothing in his love for the Father and Spirit. In his lived experience, and shining Gospel we find every answer to our lives. For his righteousness is everlasting, and his Law is truth.
“But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” The age in which we live seeks to divorce Religion and Spirit. To put a rift between a heartfelt, genuine faith - and any real, tangible acts or expressions of that faith. “Be spiritual, not religious” is a maxim found on many street corners and rear windshields. But who can actually separate these two? Can love be true and genuine if it is devoid of action and expression? Fr. Patrick takes on piety and devotion this week as we enter the final days before Pascha. And reflects on a living icon scripture gives us of just such a piety, to guide us on our way to the object of our true desires.
“Let the proud be confounded, for they go wickedly about to destroy me; but I will be occupied in thy commandments. I am small and of no reputation; yet do I not forget thy commandments.” Behold: the Humble and Holy Man. He who fills the hungry with good things, but sends the rich away empty. Who puts down the mighty from their seat, and exalts the humble, and the meek. Fr. Patrick today reflects on the greatness of humility; and the God who loves it - and is perfect in its practice.
Our Lord is on the battlefield, sword in hand; and is making his way to the place of his ultimate victory. Met with the propaganda of his enemies today, he proclaims the certainty of their doom, and sets the terms for those who would ally with him in the great battle. Fr. Patrick discusses faith, unity, and the call to action today. It is not enough to not be evil. It will not do simply not to hurt someone. The bare minimum has fallen away, and it is time to choose a side.
As we march the long and winding road to Jerusalem and Good Friday, surrounded by penitent reminders of what is to come. We are given a curious detour up Mt. Tabor. And though it is not given full celebration until later in the year, we witness the Transfiguration of Our Lord. One last brilliant revelation before the darkest moment that will ever come to pass. Fr. Patrick talks about faith and hope in the midst of this Lenten journey. And reflects on the power of knowing who it is we really serve.
“The Lord hath put on his apparel, and girded himself with strength” Lo, the time for battle has come! Into the wilderness our Great Champion has gone before us, and we are to follow. For who is God beside the Lord? Who teaches our hands to make war, and makes bronze bows of our arms. He has set out to destroy all those who would harm his creation. “I shall pursue and overtake them, and will not turn until they have fallen. They shall cry out, even to the Lord, but none shall hear them; and I shall grind them to powder” Fr. Patrick speaks on spiritual warfare, its nature, and how to conduct ourselves amidst the battle. A Blessed Lent to you, as we struggle on to Pascha!
“Cursed is the ground in your labors. In toil you shall eat from it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field.” The seed of the Gospel has been scattered in every direction, and it shall land on every heart. But it is up to us to till the ground and prepare to receive it. We must drag away the heavy rocks, and break the hardened shell of a well-trodden path. And then we shall spend our days tending to weeds and thorns, lest they spring up and take what we have from us. With Lent almost upon us, Fr. Patrick sets out with this meditation to prepare us all for the hard work of tilling and toil ahead.
Fairness. Equality. Justice. We call out for these things ceaselessly. We constantly seek after and await the prize we have decided is our due reward. But what happens when the scales are really balanced? When every person is given an equal share of the perfect, loving, overwhelming, generosity of God are we really satisfied? When our brother is restored to a new inheritance, having already squandered what he had, are we glad he is home? Today Fr. Patrick prepares to enter the Lenten season with a meditation on one of the greatest dangers in the Christian life, one so poisonous it can cause us to attempt to judge God himself.…
To whom is salvation promised? In whom do the Saints find joy and rest? What does a faithful community look like? “I thank God upon my every remembrance of you.” These are the words which begin St. Paul's address to the Church at Phillipi. And they are followed by all manner of confident and joyful proclamations from the Great Apostle concerning both their conduct, and their trajectory. Today Fr. Patrick discusses salvation, and direction. And the proper context for trusting in God's promises. ~ Whence an arrow is pointed, there it shall fly.
The Lord will surely come, and will not tarry. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will manifest himself to all nations. Why must so much be hidden from us? Truth is often so shrouded in mystery, and buried beneath symbols and types, that we can hardly see it at all. Fr. Patrick takes on the device of parable itself today, and sheds some light on darkness as a vessel for the truth.
The Day of Candlemas. When at long-awaited last the Ancient of Days returns to his Temple in Jerusalem. He who came down to Moses in a Pillar of Wind and Flame again meets face to face with the keeper of the sacred doors.… As Salvation himself is cradled and presented, the First Age looks upon him with peace. At long last his time has run its course; and the darkened eyes of the Old Man find rest in the Light of the New.
“If God is good, why is there evil?” “If God is all-knowing, how has an enemy snuck something by him?” These questions have plagued Christians since the very beginning, and can be not only disheartening, but destructive to our faith if we are not careful. Today Fr. Patrick presents the answer the Lord himself gives in the Scriptures; along with some hope-filled refreshment for the long road of life.
Episode 211 - Vigil Of The Nativity 2023
Gaudete! Hail! Rejoice! This decree and command has been present for all of human history. But how does the Sunday of rejoicing fall in a season before the feast? Shouldn't we rejoice when the wait is over? What does rejoicing really mean anyway?
Christ is King, he reigns in our age. Why are we still so restless? How long must things go on this way? And what compass will guide us through the age before the end?
We have an enemy, and he has weapons. The sharpest and most insidious of which may also be the most widely accepted and ignored in our modern day. Where is the barb that awaits us today? Into what net does he most desire us to fall? Let us be watchful as we enter this advent season.
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