More than a Drinking Holiday

Today is, as I'm sure any astute reader knows, St. Patrick's day.  On this day, more beer will be consumed around the world than any other day of the year.  And on this day everyone around you will wear green or risk getting pinched.  Because that is what we have come to believe St. Patrick's Day is all about.

But St. Patrick's Day is far more than that - it is the day on which we celebrate - guess who? - St. Patrick.  I love the story of Saint Patrick - it is an example of what I see as the ultimate goal of Christian life.

Early in his life, St. Patrick was kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave.  Eventually he was freed to return home, but when he returned home, he heard the voices of the people of Ireland calling out for someone to share the Good News with them.  So Patrick returned.  It didn't matter to him that the people of Ireland had kidnapped him, he went anyway.  It didn't matter to him that he could well be killed, he went anyway.

And as a result, Ireland became a leading center of the Christian faith and, according to some accounts, it was Irish monasteries that helped preserve some of the great literature of the church throughout what is known as the Dark Ages.

All because Patrick was not afraid and because Patrick was willing to give up his hatred for those who had wronged him.

I think about that story and I wonder if I would be able to do the same thing if I were placed in Patrick's shoes.  Or, in a context fit for today, would I be able to pick up and go live among those Muslims around the world who are militant, or among other terrorist groups who have perpetrated great crimes against humanity?  Would I?  I'd like to think so, but I can't say for sure.

Which is why I look up to Saint Patrick.

I will close with a quote from Saint Patrick's Breastplate - a famous prayer supposedly written by the Saint prior to his return to Ireland.

I bind to myself today God's Power to guide me, God's Might to uphold me, God's Wisdom to teach me, God's Eye to watch over me, God's Ear to hear me, God's Word to give me speech, God's Hand to guide me, God's Way to lie before me, God's Shield to shelter me, God's Host to secure me against the snares of demons, against the seductions of vices.

Amen.