# Finding Our Quiet Center on St. Patrick’s Day
*2020-03-16*

> Bill Young reflects on the meaning of St. Patrick’s Day, shares a personal experience of unexpected grace, and introduces the first day of the 33‑day consecration series based on the Gospel of John.

## A St. Patrick’s Day Reflection

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! With many of us staying home instead of attending parades or going to bars, I thought it would be a good time to turn to prayer and reading. A few years ago I posted a St. Patrick’s Day hashtag on Twitter and was reminded of a special experience: while traveling for our wedding anniversary we stopped at a Catholic church called St. Patrick’s. During Mass my wife and I felt a profound sense of joy and ecstasy—a glimpse of the holy that I attribute to the intercession of St. Patrick. I pray that this same grace continues to bless our marriage.

## Finding Our Quiet Center

Today we turn to the theme of solitude, which we have been exploring in our reading of *Journey to the Heart* by the late Father Henry J. M. Newman. He reminds us that “to live a Christian life means to live in the world without being of it.” Jesus withdrew to a deserted place to pray (Mark 1:35), and in that solitude He discovered that all His power came from the Father. Likewise, a life without a quiet center can become destructive, leading us to cling to our own results and view others as enemies. In solitude we are freed to encounter God more deeply.

## Day One of 33 Days to Greater Glory

We are beginning the 33‑day consecration to the Father through Jesus, based on the Gospel of John. Day 1 focuses on the “prophet like Moses” (John 1:23). The book outlines the opening characters of John: John the Baptist, the first disciples, Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, and the woman caught in adultery. It draws a parallel with Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3), where God revealed His compassion and the divine name “I AM.” Moses was allowed to see God’s back, a “greater glory” that foreshadows the revelation we receive in Christ.

## Prayer for St. Joseph, Man of Peace and Joy

Today’s prayer is addressed to St. Joseph, the patron of peace and joy:

“Dear St. Joseph, you lived in the presence of Jesus and Mary and were filled with peace. Pray that I may also find joy in their presence, that I may resist sadness, discouragement, and bitterness, and that I may extend mercy and forgiveness to others. Grant me the peace of soul that you exemplified. Amen.”

Tomorrow we will continue with Day 9, and on the feast of St. Joseph we will pray the consecration prayer to him.

## Closing Thoughts

Remember to join the 8 p.m. rosary tonight for those who are sick or in solitude. May this time of quiet and prayer draw us nearer to God.

*In the stillness of our own “desert places,” we encounter the greater glory of God.*