The Tale of St. Patrick – Daily Reflection

St. Patrick’s Day Reflections

Today, as crowds clad in green gather for parades and celebrations, it’s surprising how few actually know about Patrick— the man behind the holiday. He’s the figure often credited with banishing snakes from Ireland, but really, it’s his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ that defines him.

Back in 2006, Chuck Colson shared an insightful account of St. Patrick in his book. I remember reading it, and it really painted a vivid picture of this historical figure.

Patrick was born into a middle-class family in Roman Britain around 390 AD. When he was just a teenager, Irish raiders invaded his home, capturing him and bringing him to Ireland where he was sold to the King and forced to be a shepherd.

In his well-known book, How the Irish Saved Civilization, Thomas Cahill explores Patrick’s life, highlighting the isolation he endured as a slave shepherd. Cahill notes, “The work of such slave shepherds was terribly isolating, spending months at a time alone in the mountains.”

Even though he grew up in a Christian family, Patrick didn’t truly believe in God back then. Yet, during his lonely and harsh existence filled with fear and hunger, he began to reach out for a relationship with God. He later wrote, “I was praying all day long,” expressing how he felt surrounded by God’s love.

Six years after being captured, Patrick had a dream in which God spoke to him. It was a bold command, and if he chose to follow it, he’d become a runaway slave, facing constant danger. But he did obey, and miraculously, God guided him. Patrick walked about 320 miles to reach the coast of Ireland, where he found a ship that took him back to England and his family.

But he didn’t just slip back into his old life. Patrick changed, matured perhaps, and eventually realized he was being called to a life dedicated to God, leading him to join a monastery. Over time, he was ordained first as a priest and later as a bishop.

Then, after 30 years of being away, God called him back to Ireland to serve as a missionary.

During the 5th century, the Irish were often described as pagan and violent, with human sacrifices not uncommon. Understanding the risks, Patrick prepared himself for anything that might unfold, writing, “I am prepared for anything to happen: to be killed, betrayed, enslaved.”

Cahill emphasizes how Patrick’s love for the Irish shines through his writings. He cared deeply, not just for their spiritual welfare but their physical well-being too.

Through Patrick’s efforts, many were converted. Cahill notes, “Only this former slave had the right instinct to tell the Irish a new story, one that understood all their old stories and brought them a peace they had never known before.” Thanks to Patrick, warriors laid down their arms and rejected practices of violence and slavery.

Sadly, like many Christian observances, St. Patrick’s Day has drifted away from its roots. Rather than getting caught up in parades and the typical “wearing of green,” maybe it’s worth considering how we can reclaim this day, celebrating the great evangelist and teaching younger generations about this remarkable Christian figure.

That’s just a glimpse of what Chuck Colson shared about St. Patrick back in 2006.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!