Many folks will be wearing the green today. Personally, after work, I'll be meeting with our church leadership at the Old Bag of Nails, listening to Dr. Simple. I'm sure it will be crowded. Shaun is planning on going over early to save us some seats.
So what do we have to celebrate? I'm sure many have no idea - any excuse for green beer is a good excuse. Christ followers at Church Requel have much to celebrate, though, about St. Patrick's life. Much about his life is lost to time and myth. But two authentic letters survive this bishop, who died on this date in 460. Here are a few things to remember:
- He was a missionary, who returned to Ireland as an adult after being kidnapped as a young teenager. He received a call from God and served that call faithfully.
- He was a teacher, taking a cue card from Jesus' teaching style, using whatever local props he could find to illustrate God's love and character. Patrick's most famous illustration was the use of the 3-leafed clover to illustrate the truth of the Trinity.
- He was a baptist. By his own words he baptized thousands of the Irish into the faith of Christ.
- He was a preacher. He spent 30 years spreading the word of God throughout Ireland.
- He was an outsider. While he is celebrated with Irish culture, St. Patrick himself never considered himself Irish. He was a Briton - a foreigner in Ireland. Consequently, his life was not an easy one. We also are sojourners, here on earth. This life, this place is not the Christ-follower's home. Let's not get too comfortable.
- He was a survivor. He was persecuted, specifically in a trial. Not surprisingly his accusers were other Christians. (Why is it that our greatest trials often come from within?)
