March 17 is St. Patrick's Day My older sister, Mary Evelyn Morgan McDuff was born March 17, 1930. She passed into the presence of the Lord last year. I am grateful to God for giving me my sister. Her living children, only Stephen has died, requested that I conduct her funeral. Because I knew I could not walk up the steep hill to her cemetery lot, I asked my son, Greg, a former tent maker missionary to Budapest, Hungary to do the graveside service. He did a superb job. I was so very proud of him. To honor Mary Evelyn, I give you today the Irish benediction I have given in my pastorates and in the United States Air Force chapels where I have preached and ministered. And now for the benediction: The Irish Benediction May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm on your face, The rain fall softly on your fields; And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His mighty hand. ———————– The Lord give us peace in our going out and our coming in, in our lying down and in our rising up, in our labor and in our leisure, in our laughter and in our tears; until we come to stand before Him on that day to which there is no sunset and no dawn, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ———————– The peace of God be with you; The peace of Christ be with you; The peace of the Spirit be with you; And with your children; From the day that we have here today, Until the day of the end of your lives. ———————– | |