Episode Details

Tuesday 17 March 2026

Today is Tuesday the 17th of March, the feast of Saint Patrick, in the fourth week of Lent. 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