Special Pastor’s message for March 12
“St. Patrick: The Apostle of Ireland”
(Matt. 28: 19, 20)
What do you do on/for St. Patrick’s Day?
St. Patrick’s day is day in which many in the United States of America, and Ireland, engage in drinking and celebrating. It is generally touted as a day in which Irish culture and heritage is celebrated. However, this is not why St. Patrick’s day was enacted, nor is it the reason why the Church celebrates it. St. Patrick’s day was originally a day to celebrate the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. It was a time in which Christians celebrated the Salvation and Redemption that God had brought to Ireland in the 5th century C.E.
According to Legend, in the early 5th century C.E., a priest named Patrick, known to us as St. Patrick, was captured by Irish pirates and sold into slavery. After being sold into slavery, he remained in Ireland for six years as he served his master. However, St. Patrick would soon receive a vision of God, instructing him that he would be set free, and that after he had gained his freedom, he would eventually return to Ireland to convert the place into Christianity. St. Patrick, then, fled his master, at the call of the vision, and found his freedom back in Europe. Soon after, however, God impressed upon his heart to return to Ireland. He eventually did so and sailed back to Ireland. Upon arrival, he was greeted with disdain and resistance, especially by the current slavers of the time. Fortunately for him, he had an entourage that protected him.
He had arrived, but the work had just begun. St. Patrick spent many years serving, preaching, teaching, and loving the people. He performed miracles. He behaved with acts of mercy, love, and kindness. He preached the Gospel. Over time, the people of Ireland came to know God and were redeemed. Ever since that time, Ireland has been a Christian land.
Much more could be said of this man. Some true. Some myth and legend. Some of it not true. Some of it still unknown. Suffice to say, he was a missionary used by God to bring about the redemption of God to the people of Ireland. What is so striking about this story is his eagerness to preach the Gospel and convert his slavers. St. Patrick had a great love for these slavers and a desire for them to know God. The very people who abused and mistreated him so much, St. Patrick had an inclination to see them redeemed. Such character ought to inspire us. We all have people who have abused and mistreated us. But instead of responding with hate, let us emulate the character of St. Patrick. Let us pray for them. Let us forgive them. Let us desire for them to know God more fully. Let us be willing, in kindness and love, to even share the Gospel with them should the opportunity arise.
Dear God, I forgive the people who have mistreated and abused me. Touch my heart that I might emulate the character of St. Patrick and seek that those people might come to know You.
Amen.
