Fiery Arrow

St Brigid of Kildare (451-525CE)

1st February is the feast of St Brigid.  She was a native of Ireland, being the daughter of a Celtic chieftain.  She was named after a Celtic goddess, whose name means "fiery arrow".  I thought - Wow! Her name reflects how I picture her - a strong willed woman.  Her life story speaks of a holy woman, a strong woman, with a real zeal for the faith and helping others in need.  In doing so, she faced all sorts of opposition, even from her father, for she did not just comfortably follow the social norms of her day in reaching out to the poor and suffering.  So it would seem she was and had to be a fiery arrow.  Don't we as well, in this harsh world?  

Like St Patrick, she was a missionary, building a new church in her homeland.  Together, they are the patrons of Ireland.  Here, we see the bond of mission, bringing together two great characters in history.  It is a small world.  .  

Mission?  What is it really?  It is not rocket science.  It is simply whatever good we do in following the ways of Jesus, to build up the Kingdom of God here and now.  Even that simple explanation sounds too academic or complex.  Put it another way.  All, we do and are, is coloured by our basic life orientation to following Jesus and his Good News.  We do so out of love and passion, not compulsion or compliance.   

And so... 

We may not deal very well with opposition or difficult people, but we keep at our tasks, ever believing in what we do for the other.  

We may take conflict and life's hurts far too seriously, but we never lose our sense of perspective and joy in life. 

We may be challenged by the demands of every day commitments, but we remain true to who we are and our responsibilities.  

A fiery arrow is not stopped by the elements.  It keeps reaching for the stars.