Appropriately Remembering Patrick, the Very Misunderstood and Misrepresented Saint
by Pastor Ken Floyd
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8
Many people are preparing to celebrate a holiday that they have little understanding of, especially regarding the background of its namesake. Sadly, what has been designated as a traditional “holy day” has devolved into an excuse for excessive sinful behavior. You may have already guessed what holiday is being referenced. It is St. Patrick’s Day, an annual holiday observed on March 17. It is reportedly on that day an Irish missionary named Patrick died in around 461 A.D.
Patrick’s story is one of great perseverance and commitment to his God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Patrick was born into a wealthy British-Roman family in what is now known as Great Britain. As a teenager, he was captured by Irish raiders who then took him to Ireland. They forced him into slave labor, demanding that he tend their flocks and till their fields.
Patrick survived the cruelty of his captors and the challenges of his slave labor by reflecting on the Word of God. He was able to escape his captors after spending six years in bondage by traveling two hundred miles across Ireland to the sea. He was able to gain passage on a shipping vessel that was headed towards his homeland.
After returning to his family in Britain, tradition shares that Patrick supposedly had a vision of a man who gave him a letter calling him to return to Ireland with the Gospel. Burdened by the eternal destiny of his pagan captors, Patrick studied theology for fifteen years and then returned to Ireland as a missionary.
There is limited historical documentation regarding Patrick’s ministry in Ireland but numerous unfounded legends. Many of these unfounded legends have led to some of the traditional elements of current St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. What documented historical references there are regarding Patrick’s ministry share the illuminating impact of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as he declared it to a spiritually darkened culture.
Patrick knew that his return to Ireland would be met with anger due to his prior escape. Therefore, he offered to pay his former captors the full ransom price of a slave as compensation for his escape. Astonished by his eagerness to return to them and his generous gesture of repayment, God gave Patrick an open door to share the Gospel.
The effectiveness of his communication was enhanced by the fact that Patrick was fluent in the Celtic language because of the time he previously spent among them as a slave. He not only gained knowledge of their native tongue but also of their traditions, values, and customs. He could share about Christ and faith using illustrations and symbols that his hearers would understand with relevance.
The following is a portion of a prayer written and prayed by Patrick, the faithful evangelist and fellow saint of God. It is a helpful prayer model for each of us as we, too, prepare to represent Christ before those whom He has called us to shine.
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Sadly, many will again engage in misguided revelry on Patrick’s martyrdom date. May believers in Jesus Christ instead use this day to remember this servant’s faithful example. Jesus Himself declared that His followers are called to be “the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14). This means that God calls every Christian to go into the world in the name of Jesus Christ and be “the light of the world.” The Christian should not hide the light but instead let it “shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:15-16).
Light illuminates the darkness. We, too, are called in the name of Christ to penetrate the darkened corners of our world by reflecting His light. Like Patrick, the faithful servant of God and proclaimer of the glorious gospel of God’s grace, God will use us for His glory as we reflect the light of God before others.
You have His Word on it! KEF
RESOURCES:
Moran, Patrick Francis Cardinal. “St. Patrick.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 11. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911.
“Who Was St. Patrick?” The History Channel Online. 2008. A&E Television Networks.
“Patrick’s Life.” Religion Homepage. BBC Online. 20 Feb 2006.