DAY 11- St. Patrick’s Shamrock and Be Thou My Vision

Day 13 – March 17, 2025 – St. Patrick’s Day

It is said that hymns often say in a song what mere words cannot convey. And how the songs came to be often tell a story of wilderness-inspiring art. One of those origin stories is the story of “Be Thou My Vision”. 

According to Dr. C. Michael Hawn of Perkins School of Theology, writing for UMC Discipleship, the original wording was from a “poem, found in two Irish manuscripts in the library of the Royal Irish Academy, may be dated as early as the 8th century.”

The poem, blended with a traditional Irish tune called Slane, made its way from Ireland into several British hymnals where it gained the attention of hymnal editors shortly after World War II.

But that’s hardly the most meaningful part of the story. That has to do with Saint Patrick.

It is well known that St. Patrick was kidnapped at the age of 16 and held in captivity for over 6 years. During that time, he grew strong in his faith and came to influence many believers in Ireland, which was a pagan country at that time.  His faith would lead him to many brave actions in the name of Jesus, but the most important happened on Slane Hill, for which the Irish tune of Be Thou My Vision was known.

On Easter Eve 433 CE on Slane Hill, Saint Patrick defied the High King Logaire of Tara by lighting candles on the hilltop to celebrate Christ.  The King had wanted to signify the beginning of a pagan festival with the lights, but Patrick wanted to signify the King of Kings’ instead. Hawn writes that “King Logaire was so impressed by Patrick’s devotion that, despite his defiance, he was permitted to continue his work as Ireland’s first Christian missionary.”  It is said that Slane Hill was where Saint Patrick used the common Irish shamrock to explain the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Saint Patrick went against the most powerful person in that community to pay Easter homage to Jesus. So, when we sing the lyrics exalting our Lord and Savior, remember Saint Patrick whose example, despite many wilderness experiences, changed the heart of Ireland.

1. Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me save that thou art.
   Thou my best thought by day and by night; Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
2. Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true Word; I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord.
   Thou my great Father, I thy dear child; Thou in me dwelling, with thee reconciled.
3. Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight; Be thou my dignity, thou my delight.
   Thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tow’r; Raise thou me Heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.
4. Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise; Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
   Thou and thou only, first in my heart, High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.
5. High King of Heaven, my victory won, May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’ns Sun!
   Heart of my heart, whatever befall, Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Prayer – High King of Heaven, we recognize you above any ruler in our lives. You made the Heavens and the Earth. You created each one of us in Your image. You hold us in the palm of your hand. May we set lights on high hilltops to praise you and to make your light shine far and wide. Be thou our vision, oh ruler of all.  Amen.