CoachNet Campfire

 

 

Unabashedly I love Patrick the Patron Saint of Ireland.

 

 

He may be one of the best and brightest examples of a truly missional leader: humble, fearless, compassionate and grace-filled.  Thus it is only fitting that, despite not knowing his story, he is the cause the for this one day each year when everyone wants to be Irish. 

 

Most people do not know that he wasn’t even Irish, he was English!  Captured by pirates as a young man and sold into slavery to a hard and sometimes cruel Irish Chieftain and made to herd cattle. During this time he crossed the line of faith and became a follower of Jesus. Led to escape by way of a dream and a superstitious ship’s crew he fled to Gaul and eventually to Rome. He became a priest. Fueled by a genuine love for his former captors and their culture he approached the Pope and was ordained the first ever, missionary bishop. With a small band of priests, nuns and seminarians he journeyed back to land of his captivity.  Their his band would establish camps just outside villages where they would serve and befriend the people thus earning their trust. Patrick and his band knew the “Wild” Irish loved stories, poetry, song and imagination. They also had deep reverence for life, nature and love. They were enchanted with the number three These along with a more or less unified language empowered Patrick to reach deep into the soul of the Irish people and eventually to the conversion of most of Ireland, Scotland, England and many parts of northern Eurpoe. 

In “A Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus,” Patrick wrote: The Confession of Saint Patrick. 

I am Patrick, yes a sinner and indeed untaught; yet I am established here in Ireland where I profess myself bishop.

I am certain in my heart that “all that I am,” I have received from God.

So I live among barbarous tribes, a stranger for the love of God.

He himself testifies that this is so.

I never would have wanted these harsh words to spill from my mouth; I am not in the  habit of speaking so sharply.

Yet now I am driven by the zeal of God, Christ’s truth has aroused me.

I speak out too for the love of my neighbors who are my only sons;

for them I gave up my home country, my parents and even pushing my own life to the brink of death.

If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so as to teach these peoples;

even though some of them still look down on me.

Patrick Patron Saint of All Missionaries.  The more I learn of him the more I want to be just like him.  Most people have no idea who he was or why we celebrate the anniversary of his death.  Suffice it to say he was while not even Irish he was and is the greatest of her men.  Do some research you will be astounded…truly.  I have now written two short biographies in an attempt to tell his story and deleted them both from my blog as I think you will be amazed at what you find if you dig for his story on your own.  George Hunter III’s excellent little book, THE CELTIC WAY OF EVANGELISM is a great place to start.

Patrick, it is said, once wrote:

Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me, 

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me, 

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

from The Lorica.

 

Tomorrow let us celebrate the life of this missional man. 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day.