Learning from St. Patrick

Patrick grew up in Britain in a fairly affluent family.  That all changed on the day that a band of Irish pirates raided his family’s estate and carried him off.  He spent his teenage years enslaved, herding flocks for an Irish landowner.  Rather than giving into despair, Patrick used this time of hardship to deepen his relationship with God.  Like the young King David, Patrick developed a deep communion with Christ as he cared for flocks and herds.  After six years of enslavement, Patrick fled to the coast of Ireland and found a ship that took him back to Britain.

After several years of studying Christianity, Patrick saw a vision of a man from Ireland who gave him a letter.  The letter was an invitation for him to return.  He did.  He went back to the land of his captors and began teaching them about Jesus.  Over the course of his life, he turned a pagan country into a Christian people.  Enjoy some corned beef and cabbage today - maybe even a green beer.  But give some thought to the man God used to bring his kingdom to Ireland.  Give some thought to the way God used deep adversity to sow an even deeper faith.  As Patrick concludes his famous prayer: “Salvation is the Lord's.  Salvation is the Lord's.  Salvation is Christ's.  May thy salvation, Lord, be always with us!  Amen.”