Perhaps Saint Patrick's breastplate was at least partially inspired by today's selection from the Colossians: "¡K Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger¡K" St. Paul writes that the Colossians and we are to walk in Christ, be rooted in Christ, built upon Christ and established in Christ and be abounding in thanksgiving for the triumph which is ours because of Christ. In baptism we died with Christ and rose with Christ to new life. Our sins were nailed to the cross and our debt forgiven by the offering of Jesus. How awesome is that!?!

Like Peter at the beautiful gate of the temple, we are called to share what we have. Not gold or silver, not power or privilege or patronage, not tightly wrought logical arguments or flowery speeches but the love of God manifest in Jesus Christ. Our testimony may not seem as powerful as Peter's was, we may not heal or convert thousands, but if we will walk with Christ, stay rooted in Christ and build upon the secure foundation of Jesus, our lives will be effective because God will work through us as surely as God acted through Peter and the others who have been chosen and sent. Like Jesus we must be people of prayer so we might Live Jesus, Love Jesus and let Jesus save us.