The Porter's Gate sings, ‘The Breastplate of Saint Patrick’. Can you make these words your own today?

When my work takes me places I don’t want to go

Christ before me

And my heart aches with sorrow as I hit the road

Christ be with me

When the care of my family takes all that I have

Christ within me

When I’m worn and exhausted, ashamed that I’m mad

Christ defend me

I rise up today in a strength that is not my own

I’m held by the promise of God that I’m never alone

When I’m tossed to the side and I want to give up

Christ beside me

When I’m busting my ass but it’s never enough

Christ beside me

When I work hard but someone else gets the reward

God’s eyes see me

I ask for promotion and they shut the door

God’s ears hear me

When I climb the first steps toward a long-held dream

Christ above me

And I leap out in faith and I hope to find wings

Christ beneath me

Today’s reading is from the Prophet Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 1:4-9

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,

‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

and before you were born, I consecrated you;

I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’

Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.’ But the Lord said to me,

‘Do not say, “I am only a boy”;

for you shall go to all to whom I send you,

and you shall speak whatever I command you.

Do not be afraid of them,

for I am with you to deliver you,

says the Lord.’

Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me,

‘Now I have put my words in your mouth.’

Jeremiah is reluctant to preach God’s message because of his age. Age, here, seems of little importance for delivering God’s message. How does this speak to you?

“You shall go to all to whom I send you”. Imagine these words are addressed to you...to whom might you be sent?

‘Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you.’ Is there anyone, or anything, you are afraid of today?

As you hear the passage again, notice if this scripture helps to soothe any fear you’re experiencing...

Jeremiah 1:4-9

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,

‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

and before you were born, I consecrated you;

I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’

Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.’ But the Lord said to me,

‘Do not say, “I am only a boy”;

for you shall go to all to whom I send you,

and you shall speak whatever I command you.

Do not be afraid of them,

for I am with you to deliver you,

says the Lord.’

Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me,

‘Now I have put my words in your mouth.’

‘Now I have put my words in your mouth.’ As this time of prayer approaches its close, spend a moment asking God to put God’s words in your mouth...

You have given all to me

To you, Lord, I return it

Everything is Yours

Do with it what You will

Give me only Your love and Your grace

That is enough for me

Amen