+ Patrick was born into a
wealthy Roman-British family probably in Wales or some say
Scotland in the year 390. Around the age of 16 he was kidnapped from the
British mainland and shipped to Ireland as a slave. He was sent to the
mountains as a shepherd; there he spent his time in the fields in prayer. After
six years of this life, he had a dream which commanded him to return to
Britain; seeing this as a sign he escaped from his duties to the sheep in the
pastures. But he was always being prepared to become a shepherd of another kind
of sheep. Having left Ireland, he studied in several monasteries in Europe.
Patrick became a priest and
then a bishop. He was sent by Pope Celestine to evangelize England and then
Ireland (he became the second bishop of Armagh). In 33 years, he effectively
converted all of Ireland (this being associated to the legend of his “driving
out of the snakes” of the land therein). He spoke the language of his new poor
flock and taught them using symbols such as the three-leafed shamrock to
describe the Trinitarian life of God in Himself. In the Middle Ages, Ireland
became known as the Land of Saints,
and during the Dark Ages its monasteries were the great repositories of
learning in Europe, all a consequence of Patrick’s ministry.
Patrick died in 464 in County
Down of natural causes. There is just something about the life and ministry of
St. Patrick that makes him irresistible even to this day and one of the most
popular saints in all of Church history both to Catholics and non-Catholics
alike. Everyone is Irish on March 17.
The gospel passage today tells
of the overflowing and abundant ministry of those who trust in God and follow
his commands as far as bringing in wandering sheep from all over God’s
creation; our churches ought to be full to overflowing – and to the extent that
they are not perhaps it is a matter of focusing not so much on the machinery
set in place to do the hauling, as in the generosity of the hearts of those who
are called to bring the very person of Jesus – living and breathing – to people
who are still eligible to have “the devil driven out of them” – like the snakes
from Ireland! – and in our day, in this age, in this country there are many
snakes, indeed, in high places, that need to be dethroned and driven out – but
this kind can be removed not only by intense prayer, but also by brave action!
St. Patrick Pray for us! Guide
our thoughts, prayers and our actions to save our country, and world!
No comments:
Post a Comment