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. (Excerpt from St Patrick’s Hymn)
We hear, see, and experience the holiday called St patrick’s day in many different ways. Some find joy in coloring everything green, others want to participate in parades, and drinking alcohol to extreme limits, others find slightly less relatable activities. but is this how Partick of Ireland would like to be remembered? His life might have been filled with much more adventure than chasing some fictitious snakes from the country called Ireland.
He was a young man from Britain, born on or about 375 ad. There are many tales of his childhood, yet these are just legends that have no source for accuracy, and paints a child to youth years of have powers and miracles of God, before he was baptized. This time of the church age was long before infant baptism was a practice in roman churches and before other veneration of saints had entered churches. There was the council of nicea that had met about the time of patricks birth, but most of that which was accepted and canonized as gospel didn’t include some of the practices we see today in many professing Christian churches with the exception of the philosophy of the “Trinity” For it was the Trinity doctrine was the main tenant of Christianity at the time of Patrick. When he was about 16 years old he writes in his confession (which I consider a reliable source for it was penned with his own hand) That he was taken prisoner and sold into slavery in the land of Hibernia( which we call Ireland today).
“1.—I, Patrick,’ a sinner, the rudest and the least of all the faithful, and most contemptible to very many, had for my father Calpurnius, a deacon, a son of Potitus a presbyter,’ who dwelt in the village of Bannavem' Tabernie;’ for he had a small farm hard by the place where I was taken captive. I was then nearly sixteen years of age. I did not know the true God ; and I was taken to Ireland in captivity with so many thousand men in accordance with our deserts, because we departed from God, and kept not his precepts, and were not obedient to our priests, who admonished us for our salvation.* And the Lord brought down upon us “the wrath of his indignation,” and dispersed us among many nations, even to the end of the earth, where now my littleness is seen among foreigners. And there the Lord opened (to me) the sense of my unbelief, that, though late, I might remember my sins, and that I might strengthen my whole heart to the Lord my God, who had respect to my humiliation, and pitied my youth and ignorance, and took care of me before I knew Him,”
So he was captured by marauding pirates from Ireland the date was approximately 390 ad. After Rome pulled out of Britain and no longer occupied its territory, remnants of a Christianized roman culture still existed this was the family which Patrick had belonged. His family had been part of the clergy and his father a deacon and his grand father a presbitor(or in latin also translated as priest). However, like many youth he hadn’t grasped the faith of his fathers and felt that lack of desiring to know the true God was sinful as he writes this account before his death. Britain was held together by had a loose confederation of kingships that governed the country. According to Bercot, they were mercenaries that the church leaders hired to keep invading armies at bay while they continued to live in a peaceful society, that hd laid down the sword. However these hirelings were more reactionary to marauders and lacked a strong defense as one can tell by Patricks chronicling of his life.
When he arrived in Ireland he was sold to a tribal leader. One can imagine the trial and stress this put upon Patrick, but also one that any 16 year old can relate to as he was separated from a wealthy family whom perhaps had servants themselves now he was to be ruled over and serve them that might have been, in his mind, beneath him and his family. Yet, like our spiritual descendent David. Patrick was given responsibility of the sheep belonging to his master. Like david perhaps, he spent long hours thinking of God, his family, and lonesomeness for his home in Britain. It is evidenced by this because he states further that he prayed 100 times a day. and fasted often. So his practices that he learned from his Christian family were a balm for him while he was in captivity and is also a comfort to many christian parents reading his account because of the verse “train them up in the Lord and they shall not depart”. So, Patrick went back to the Lord often and found Him as one that answers the prayers of those in need because “He knows what we need before we ask”
“2.—Wherefore I cannot keep silent—nor istit indeed expedient (to do so)—concerning so great benefits, and so much favour as the Lord has vouchsafed to me in the land of my captivity ; because this is our recompense (to Him) that after our chastening, or knowledge of God, we should exalt and confess his wonderful works’ before every nation which is under the whole heaven. Because there is no other God, neither ever was, neither before, nor shall be hereafter, except the Lord the Father, unbegotten, without beginning. From whom is all beginning ; Upholding all things, as we have said ; And His Son Jesus Christ, whom indeed with the Father, we testify to have always been, Before the origin of the world, spiritually with the Father ; In an inexplicable? manner begotten before all beginning ; And by himself were made the things visible and invisible ; And was made man; And, death having been vanquished, was received into the heavens to the Father.’ And He has given to Him all power ‘above every name of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, that every tongue should confess” to Him? that Jesus Christ is Lord and God, In whom we believe, and expect His coming, to be ere long “the judge of the living and of the dead,”
“Therefore, I, first a rustic, a fugitive, unlearned, indeed not knowing how to provide for the future—but I know this most certainly, that before I was humbled, I was like a stone lying in deep mud; and He who is mighty came, and in His mercy raised me and lifted me up, and placed me on the top of the wall.”
He had been on the land for approximately 6 years, during that time his prayer was to go home. I’m sure his heart went out for concern for his parents, and his own pains that come from one that had all the freedom of the world and is now a prisoner. Yet there are many today like him not realizing what freedom they have until they lose it. And then there are those that are in great deception that they are free but are not, are rather enslaved to self and the self world around them. In ancient times those entertained themselves with self righteousness of position, rank, authority, financial success as freedom and salvation. Today, those ancient traditions are still very clear. And like Joseph, and David of old, whom, couldn’t lead until he learned how to serve. For someone told me one time that the “greatest in the kingdom of God, are the least” and they “your ministers shall be your servants” Is that saying, all authority is Christs and all are one in Him serving one another? Perhaps, but one knows when one has reached the age of accountability and the time for freedom from sin.
“And there indeed one night, in my sleep, I heard a voice saying to me, “Thou fastest well, fasting (so), thou shalt soon go to thy country.” And again, after a very short time, | heard a response saying to me, “ Behold, thy ship is ready.”* And it was not near, but perhaps 200 miles away, and I never had been there, nor was I acquainted with any of the men there. 7.—After this I took flight, and left the man? with whom I had been six years; and I came in the strength of the Lord, who directed my way for good ;*and I feared nothing till I arrived at that ship. And on that same day on which I arrived the ship moved out of its place, and - I asked them (the sailors) that I might go and sail with them.? And it displeased the captain, and he answered sharply with indignation,’ “Do not by any means seek to go with us.” And when I heard this, I separated myself from them to go to the hut where I lodged. And on the way I began to pray ; and before I had ended my prayer, I heard one of them, and he was calling loudly after me, “‘Come quickly, for these men are calling you.” And immediately I returned to them and they began to say to me, ‘Come, for we receive you in good faith, make friendship with us in whatever way you wish.”
After, Patrick came unto the ship and sailed they landed far from his destination of Britain and encountered other trials to which the sailors with whom he traveled looked to Patrick for help. When they were without food Patrick prayed on their request and group of wild pigs came into their path and they did kill and eat. Praised God and converted according to Patrick.
He did make it home and tradition would have it that his parents had passed away. He found employment and also was baptised into the church. As time passed he became a member of the clergy. At this time he says that he had dreams that Ireland was calling him and he felt the desire to fill that calling. He went to the elders and expressed his desire to serve as a missionary there in Ireland. They thought he should wait. Twenty years passed from the time that he sensed Gods calling him, and during that time Patrick sent petitions upwards like incense ascending to the heavenly King, pleading, entreating his Lord to further serve Him in Ireland.
As time passed the elders were considering Patrick for the Bishophood. They had a meeting yet he couldn’t attend perhaps because of some other mission work in another province or country. But told his best friend of his desire. The one whom he confided in and each confessed their desires, faults and sins, before they were baptised. His friend, with all flattery said he would present his desire to the council and support Patrick in this work through, a thorough recommendation.
When Patrick returned he found that the council voted against him. And found it was his best friend whom said he shouldn’t be a bishop because of this sin. And it is, like it is, when it comes to friendship, it can be the ones whom you love the most and the ones you trust the most that are the ones whom will betray you for the sake of some silver, or for rank, or for envy. Brutus betrayed Caesar, and Judas betrayed Jesus. I often think that Judas might have been closer to Jesus than we know. He was holding that which to most humans would believe is most valuable—money. Yet even though Jesus says that the betrayal or the loss of Judas was planned from the very beginning, I’m sure Judas could have found forgiveness from our Lord if he sought it. The only thing we know, is his confession that he helped condemn an innocent man. But never acknowledging Christ as Lord or repenting. And he hung himself. If he couldn’t forgive himself he couldn’t see or seek, the kingdom of God. When I think of Judas betrayal and Patrick’s best friends betrayal, I think of the psalm that reflects the pain of betrayal and the heart for the person with whom has been betrayed. Psalm 55 : “12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.”
A friend of mine said that “ye are the salt of the earth” When we think of salt we could think of it as that which accents our lives and make sothers thirst for the same spirit as we have. And Patrick did that with his works. I’m sure all the people in the congregation knew of his sin, but he didn’t retaliate against his friend but rather, prayed for him and painfully and meekly accepted his consequences. He wanted to find his friend to forgive but like Judas, Patrick’s friend could’’t accept forgiveness from the one whom he had condemned, what is that cause I wonder—envy? Read Patrick’s love for his friend:
After thirty years they found me, and brought against me a word which I had confessed before I was a deacon.” 12.—Under anxiety, with a troubled mind, I told my most intimate friend what I had one day done in my boyhood, nay in one hour ; because I was not then used to overcome. I know not, God knows, whether I was then fifteen years of age ; and I did not believe in the living God from my infancy; but I remained in death and unbelief, until I was severely chastised ; and in truth I have been humbled by hunger and nakedness, and that daily.
“God is my witness that I have not lied in the statements I have made to you. [But' I Am the more sorry for my very dear friend, to whom I trusted even my life, that we should have deserved to hear such a response. And I ascertained before that defence from several brethren that, when I was not present, nor in Britain,’ and with which I had nothing to do—even he in my absence made a defence for me. Even he had said to me with his own mouth, “Behold thou art to be promoted to the rank of bishop,” although I was not worthy of it. But whence then did it occur to him afterwards that before all, good and bad, he should publicly put discredit on me, although he had before of his own accord gladly conceded (that honour to me)? But the Lord who is greater than all—I have said enough. But however, I ought not to hide the gift of God which he bestowed upon us in the land of my captivity. For then I earnestly sought him, and there I found him, and he preserved me from all iniquities, so I believe, because of His Spirit, ‘that dwelleth in (me),” which has wrought in me again boldly* even to this day. But God knows, if a man had spoken this to me, I might have been silent for the love of Christ. 14.— Wherefore, I give unwearied thanks to my God, who has kept me faithful in the day of my temptation ; so that I may confidently offer to Him to-day my soul,—”
We can see from his testimony that there is only love for the Lord and a desire for his friend. Perhaps this “gift” he is talking he is referring to is, that he cannot forget the gift of forgiveness from our Lord, and that he must then forgive his friend, in order to remain free on this earth and to enter the time that will come.
When he was sent Ireland, He brought gifts to the tribal chiefs and tried to witness to them. It is said that he spoke to them as Christ being a hero that the gailics might more easily except and understand the mission and authority of Christ. I see very similar to Paul’s preaching on mars hill. It is also said he built many churches and suffered much. Although he had many converts to Christ, there were battles of retaliation between Britain, and Ireland. As we can see from the "Letter To Coroticus" a king or a band of soldiers protecting Britain.
“ I, Patrick, a sinner, unlearned, resident in Ireland, declare myself to be a bishop. Most assuredly I believe that what I am I have received from God. And so I live among barbarians, a stranger and exile for the love of God. He is witness that this is so. Not that I wished my mouth to utter anything so hard and harsh; but I am forced by the zeal for God; and the truth of Christ has wrung it from me, out of love for my neighbors and sons for whom I gave up my country and parents and my life to the point of death. If I be worthy, I live for my God to teach the heathen, even though some may despise me.”
With my own hand I have written and composed these words, to be given, delivered, and sent to the soldiers of Coroticus; I do not say, to my fellow citizens, or to fellow citizens of the holy Romans, but to fellow citizens of the demons, because of their evil works. Like our enemies, they live in death, allies of the Scots and the apostate Picts. Dripping with blood, they welter in the blood of innocent Christians, whom I have begotten into the number for God and confirmed in Christ!
...the newly baptized, anointed with chrism, in white garments (had been slain) - the fragrance was still on their foreheads when they were butchered and slaughtered with the sword...
The day after the newly baptized, anointed with chrism, in white garments (had been slain) - the fragrance was still on their foreheads when they were butchered and slaughtered with the sword by the above-mentioned people - I sent a letter with a holy presbyter whom I had taught from his childhood, clerics accompanying him, asking them to let us have some of the booty, and of the baptized they had made captives. They only jeered at them.
Hence I do not know what to lament more: those who have been slain, or those whom they have taken captive, or those whom the devil has mightily ensnared. Together with him they will be slaves in Hell in an eternal punishment; for who commits sin is a slave and will be called a son of the devil.
He issues strong warnings the these men I think in hopes of reaching into their hearts as Christians. Then he holds another thing over this king. He asks the church to excommunicate this king for the tragedy he chose to inflict on brothers and sisters in Christ. And it does beg the question what testimony is given when professing Christians wage war on professing Christians. I leave this part for your own consideration that maybe Christ has a better way for each of us. But, nonetheless, is Patrick’s life made up of leprechauns, clovers and all things green? Or was his heart that of his savoir, and of the love for mankind, not for rank or position, but rather for the sinner like him a brother in sin. For he starts each letter with the phrase, “Patrick a sinner”.
It is said according to Bercott, that before died he asked not to be venerated. Because the Irish were from their ancients all about hero worship. So he asked to be buried in an unmarked grave. And so it is today with all the “St Patrick” churches and cathedrals in Ireland and around the world, they still can’t put anything on his grave.
Would the faithful be more esteemed, by, honoring Patricks desire in his Lord. And finding that desire the same way that Partick came to know Christ? Through prayer, fasting, and supplication?
Happy St. Patrick of Ireland day.
jmacwrites
Notes:
My sources below:
Letter to Coroticus
Patrick’s confession
Let Me Die in Ireland, by David Bercot