St Patrick, Church of Ireland, Kenmare

Faith means little when God’s plan is the same as our plan. Faith is everything when it isn’t. When we don’t understand, when the things of the world tempt – and often overcome – us. When disaster happens.

Goddess or Saint? The stories are interwoven, in many cases feeding off each other. But whatever the reality, Brigid’s care for the poor is the common theme – living a life of love and service, for all creation.

We don’t have to wait for eternity – we can be the body of Christ right here, right now. And then we can begin to take our part in the healing of the Nations.

No matter who we are, however sincere our commitment, sooner or later – probably sooner – we’ll blow it. Fortunately, that’s not the end of our Christian life.

Essentially, our Plough Service is a way in which we can say ‘Please’ – just as on Harvest Sunday, we say ‘Thank you’.

What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?

It only takes one candle to be lit and the darkness loses its power to frighten. That is our mission.

In a hundred years, and for hundreds of years after that, the Nativity story will still be told, as it has been for the last two thousand.

Few of us will be called by God to do something earth-shattering. But we will all be called to fulfil His purpose in our lives.