Today we celebrate the feast of St. Patrick – "Apostle to Ireland." Patrick was a humble, pious, gentle man, whose love and total devotion to and trust in God should be a shining example to each of us. He feared nothing, not even death, so complete was his trust in God, and of the importance of his mission.
Patrick lived in the 5th century. He was appointed 2nd Bishop of Ireland, coming from Scotland – which was considered Roman Britain. The legend of him driving the snakes out of Ireland enhances the reality that Patrick was a powerful instrument in the hands of God among the Irish people.
Our readings today speak of the spirit of St. Patrick which is worth imitating whether one is Irish or not.
St. Peter in the first reading tells his hearers as St. Patrick one day would: to be serious and sober-minded so that you will be able to pray. There is no more worthwhile thing a person can do during the day than to precede loving service to others by constant prayer. And one needs to be "sober" in order to do this: an unlikely request coming from one whose memory is celebrated with wine and spirits! Be sober! Be alert – is what St. Peter and St. Patrick tell us!
St Peter goes on: be hospitable without complaining, use gifts given you to serve the needs of one another. If you are a preacher, preach with the words of God and not your own. If you are one who serves, do it with the strength that comes from God – so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ to whom we all belong.
In the gospel passage Peter obeys Jesus and takes in a haul of fish that almost sinks the boat after being out all night by himself and catching nothing. This shows that when Jesus – when God – is involved in the process things happen! Jesus tells Peter at this point that from now on he will be "catching not fish but men." He will be a great Apostle to the Jewish people to bring them into the new family of God: the Church.
St. Patrick too was an Apostle bringing in members to the family of God in Ireland! We thank God who provides fishers-of-men in every age to ensure that as many as possible are invited to the family celebration that will last forever in heaven.
Help us to remain in your love, Jesus, so that we like St. Peter, and St Patrick may bear much fruit!
Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
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