Daily Devotions
One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. Romans 14:5-6a
I’m not Irish. My father’s name was Klaus; my mother’s maiden name was Reinhardt.
Since I’m not of Irish descent, don’t like green beer, and am not afraid of snakes, I haven’t really been upset at how St. Patrick and his day are being moved around.
In case you haven’t heard, let me explain. This year, for the first time since 1940, the traditional day to honor St. Patrick falls during Holy Week. It is traditional not to have a day of celebration during the penitential days of Holy Week. In the Church calendar’s scheme of things, no other festival, not even St. Patrick’s can trump Holy Week.
So the questions for many have been, “What holiday shall we celebrate—and when? Do we remember St. Patrick, or do we recall the Savior’s passion?”
Some communities, like Savannah, Georgia, a most traditional and conservative Roman Catholic city, have bumped St. Patrick’s festivities to Friday. Most churches are celebrating the Saint on Sunday. It can get confusing.
In our text, St. Paul says the specific day of celebration just isn’t all that important. If you want to celebrate on one day, fine. If you pick another, that’s fine, too. God doesn’t want a particular day as much as He wants personal, heartfelt worship.
In the fourth chapter of John, the twenty-third verse, Jesus said much the same thing: “The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him.”
This is why whether you wear the color green or not, whether you remember St. Patrick or not, the Lord most sincerely encourages you to worship His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember His birth, His life, His suffering, death, and glorious third-day resurrection. Remember what He suffered so all who believe might be saved.
This day, every day, remember, repent and rejoice in the Redeemer who has paid our ransom.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, You have freed us from the curse of the law and granted us the freedom to worship You in spirit and in truth. In gladness, may every day be a day of celebration for what You have done to win our salvation. In Your Name. Amen.