Patrick

St. Patrick

St. Patrick's Day, more affectionately Paddy's Day, is nearly upon us. What has become a celebration of all things Irish (and beer) originated as a feast day for Ireland's beloved patron saint. While much of Patrick's life is shrouded in mystery and muddled with myth, there are some things about his life and ministry that I deeply admire. Whether he actually drove the snakes out of Ireland while fasting atop the reek now named for him or turned into a deer to avoid a murderous plot to kill him and his band of merry men does not matter to me.

Although I am delighted in the absence of snakes on the island and would be more than happy to credit their vacancy to Paddy, it is the legacy of his calling from God and commitment to the people who once enslaved him that most interests me. Ironically, Patrick was not Irish-born but was most likely the son of a Roman official and was born in Britain (Wales to be more specific). At sixteen years of age, he was kidnapped by raiders and sold into slavery in Ireland and spent years working as a slave near Slemish Mountain in County Antrim in Ireland's north. Those years in slavery drew him close to his God.

Following his cue from a dream, Patrick escaped and returned to his family in Britain. Back at home, he heard voices in his dreams beckoning him to return to Ireland saying "Come here and walk among us". And that is what he did though his family begged him not to go. Following a period of study under Germanus of France, Patrick returned to Ireland in 432 AD, landing on the shores of County Down.

His ministry among the Irish was wide and varied. He established communities of faith across much of the land and took on the powerful druidic leadership that ruled the people. Before long, Patrick arrived at the Hill of Tara in modern day County Meath. There, on an opposing hill, he lit a paschal fire atop the Hill of Slane on the eve of Easter. According to pagan practice, at this time of the year, all fires were to be put out before a new one was lit at Tara. When the druids saw a light coming from Slane, they warned the high king of Ireland that he must extinguish it or it would burn forever.

According to legend, as Patrick interceded in prayer for the Irish people, an angel visited the saint and told him that the Irish people would come to Christ and retain their faith until the Judgment Day. The Irish people remain in their faith to this day.

This idea that Patrick would be so moved by compassion as to return to the land that once enslaved him impresses me deeply. He left his homeland and went again to Ireland at great risk to himself to bring the light of Christ to those living in darkness. He came not as an outsider to lord over the land and create power for his own benefit but instead became Irish as he lived among the people he loved. I admire that.

I admire those among us who answer the call of God to move beyond self -- and any form of selfishness -- to love and serve those they formerly considered their enemies. These men and women of faith, these modern mystics, travel a unique path in life in order to follow the voice of God. This Voice, ultimately, leads them to live intentionally among people and in places that others may scoff at. A man like Patrick, in my opinion, has lived a life worth noting.

"I came to Ireland to preach the good news...I have had many hard times, even to the point of being enslaved again, but I traded in my free birth for the good of others."

Patrick