Luck of the Irish

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:3-6 ESV). I love today, even though I am Italian. My name comes from an Irish nun present at my birth and of course could be less Italian or more Irish! It does give me another holiday to celebrate. And I claim all the “Irish blessings.” For example, we have all heard at one time or another, the old adage: “The luck of the Irish!” It is a rather bold pronouncement widely known throughout the decades that brings to mind images of tiny green men, rainbows with pot’s of gold, and of course the lucky shamrock. If we are honest, most of us have to admit, that as kids we spent many a sunny afternoon ankle deep in clover patches in search of that very special four-leafed specimen. Since the odds are about 10,000 to one of finding it, it is an accomplishment; and, we knew full well that once we found it, we would forever have that magical “luck of the Irish.” I guess the real question is whether or not it’s true. Let me give you a bit of “Irish history.” St. Patrick, who by the way was a native Brit, at the very young age of sixteen was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders. One day, he found God in the rolling hills while herding sheep. He escaped, and later became a Bishop. A burning desire came over him to returned to Ireland and bring faith to the Pagans who still believed in the Druids. He received inspiration from God to use the three leaf clover to explain the trinity to the new converts, who were steeped in the ancient Druid’s religion of magic, believing in many God’s of nature. The four leafed clover however, symbolized God’s melting the Druid beliefs with the trinity of the Christian beliefs. Irish soldiers conscripted into the British army began wearing the shamrock on their uniform lapels because they had been blessed by St. Patrick and so believed that they were on God's side and therefore safely protected by Him. The meaning of the word “luck” is defined as: “Circumstances that lead to a favorable outcome.” But I like to call it by another name… God’s Blessings! This pseudo Irishman has seen the other side of the rainbow and found the real “Pot of Gold” and His name is Jesus Christ, the very Creator of the rainbows, the gold, the shamrocks and most of all, the Creator of the blessings of the glorious wealth of our heritage! “Luck” doesn’t come from my earthly heritage. I have the blessing and provision of God to depend on everyday of this life until He takes me to my heavenly home. Now that’s worth celebrating everyday!