Maewyn Succat was born in Great Britain. He was taken captive by Irish raiders when he was 16 years old. He spent the next 6 years as a slave in Ireland mostly tending sheep in the harsh hill country. He eventually escaped and fled back to Great Britain. He experienced a dramatic conversion to Christianity and spent the next several years preparing to become a missionary. He returned to Ireland of his own free will but this time with the message of grace through Jesus Christ. Ireland was a pagan island whose national religion would most closely be identified as witchcraft. Maewyn was the first known Christian to ever attempt to share Christ. There were several character traits the Irish valued and still seem to value today. They valued courage, the willingness to fight, and joy. These are the qualities that were in abundance in the man they began to call simply Patrick. Patrick is credited with leading the Irish to faith in Christ. The Irish ended up saving civilization when the barbarians sacked the Roman empire a hundred years later. They had learned courage, joy, and the willingness to fight for what they believed in from the man who returned to his slave owners for the sake of Christ. In our nation we celebrate the life of this saint by wearing green and downing green beer. Maewyn Succat who became known as Patrick was astounding. He led thousands of people to faith in Christ. He Laughed and sang his way across an island impressing everyone with his faith which gave him such joy and courage. I think it is amazing what our country can do to the sacred. Maybe those of us who know Christ can do a little more. Maybe we can laugh and love and sacrifice some for those enslaved by sin around us. Patrick loved those who had mistreated him and by so doing led them to the Savior. It's ok to wear green today but let's be the ones that honor the life of Patrick by living like him today. So, sing and laugh and love those around you until they begin to think you are so wonderful that a hundred years from now they will be celebrating a day named after you.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
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2 comments:
As one who is Irish all the year round, thanks for articulating my thoughts and feelings so well. Patrick was a saint in every sense of the word and a great model Christian for us to imitate. We will honor him and Christ by living as he did, not through reckless revelry and carousing. May our prayer be as his when he so succinctly stated: "Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me".
Maybe a hundred years from now there will be a Sts. Colledge/Coffey Day, named after two nutty guys who tried to change the world from a small town in Northeast Ohio. Everyone will have to bring a prop that will help illustrate what they want to say that day.
As long as it's not live fish on a plate, I'm all for it.
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