St Patrick’s Day Amidst the Pandemic

It’s St Patrick’s Day. I have enough Irish in me to get an Irish passport - and I’m dismayed that so many celebrations throughout the world will be squelched because of the pandemic. What? No pubs open in Ireland itself on St. Paddy’s day? No parades in Irish strongholds in the US? Oh woe is us!

Which got me to thinking. Ireland and the Irish have had an abundance of incredibly hard times. Starvation, subjugation, and slavery (the latter on American soil) are among the perils they’ve endured. They have emerged with veins of gold running through their national character (the true gold at the end of a rainbow that emerged after terrible storms.) Among these veins are deep faith, soul-stirring words, music, dance, and irrepressible humor. After all, dangers aren’t so frightening if you can still find things to laugh about in the midst of them. 

So for St. Patrick’s day my prayer is that a rainbow will appear in each of our lives after this mighty virus storm is over. And that from these dark times gold will emerge, “treasures hidden in darkness” - as Isaiah says. That we will discover community, creativity, laughter, and love in new ways. And that we will be the stronger and better for it. 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day  to all my far flung Irish friends and family - and to all others who are wise enough to wish they had roots in the Emerald Isle. Much love to you, and may God bless and protect you all.

 wish they had roots in the Emerald Isle. Much love to you, and may God bless and protect you all.