The Breastplate

I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.

I arise today through the strength of Christ with his Baptism, through the strength of His Crucifixion with His Burial through the strength of His Resurrection with His Ascension, through the strength of His descent for the Judgment of Doom.

I arise today through the strength of the love of Cherubim in obedience of Angels, in the service of the Archangels, in hope of resurrection to meet with reward, in prayers of Patriarchs, in predictions of Prophets, in preachings of Apostles, in faiths of Confessors, in innocence of Holy Virgins, in deeds of righteous men.

I arise today, through the strength of Heaven; light of Sun, brilliance of Moon, splendor of Fire, speed of Lightning, swiftness of Wind, depth of Sea, stability of Earth, firmness of Rock.

I arise today, through God's strength to pilot me: God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me, God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me, God's host to secure me: against snares of devils, against temptations of vices, against inclinations of nature, against everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and anear, alone and in a crowd.

I summon today all these powers between me (and these evils): against every cruel and merciless power that may oppose my body and my soul, against incantations of false prophets, against black laws of heathenry, against false laws of heretics, against craft of idolatry, against spells of witches, smiths and wizards, against every knowledge that endangers man's body and soul. Christ to protect me today against poisoning, against burning, against drowning, against wounding, so that there may come abundance in reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ in breadth, Christ in length, Christ in height, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation. Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of Christ. May Thy Salvation, O Lord, be ever with us. Amen.

This reflection comes from St. Patrick. I want to draw your attention to the second to last paragraph. I love it because it shows just how much we should desire to be saturated with Christ.

When people think of you, who do they think of, you or Christ?

Do you do whatever you want or do you follow the One who gave you life? (Instead of dis-respecting authority and "sticking it to the man," honor your parents every once in a while and seek wise council...it never killed anyone.)

When people talk about you, who do they talk about, you or

Christ?

Are your actions like those of Christ? (Do you stand up for whats right, or do your all your different partners talk about how good you were in bed last night?)

When people see you, who do they see, you or Christ?

Do you hang out with your friends get drunk and party or do you try to represent Christ in a way that is different from this world. (Society already has its fair share of drunks, it doesn't need more.)

When people hear you, who do they hear, you or Christ?

Is every word that you speak a representation of Christ? (Think about it, whether you criticize, joke, or in everyday conversation.)

Christ's life was saturated with God. Everything He did was for the glory of the Father....it was the Honor of His name that drove Jesus to the cross.

What in your life have you not given to God? Are you driven entirely by the motivation of the cross? Its not enough to claim Christ but then continue living our lives as hell raisers. We have to begin taking action to change those areas in our life that are not pleasing to God. We have to become more saturated with Him. Die to yourself and to the desires of this world.

Become Christ Incarnate.