March Drinking Companion
If you thought Snoopy wrong! Lol, but Snoopy does capture what St. Patrick was all about, loving the Holy Trinity, taught through Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church, which Patrick was a bishop and priest of. In addition he taught the Trinity through the 3 leafed clover showing how something can be 3 in 1. Three whole leaves made up one essence in the clover. So too with Jesus, He was 1 of 3 persons that made up being of God.
This English man ironically became the great liberator and patron of Ireland during the 5th century, and his feast day is famously celebrated on March 17. Ironically he followed in the same footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ, who became a slave for the people, so that he may free them.
When St. Patrick was 16, he was captured by Irish pirates in England. He was brought to Ireland as a slave where he was a shepherd for the animals. After nearly 6 years of this, he escaped and returned home, eventually becoming a priest, which led him to return to Ireland to share the Good News with the people of Ireland. St Patrick shared that his faith was weak, if even existent prior to his capture, but the tough times he went through, led him to finding God and committing himself to a life of conversion. He was said to drive out the snakes of Ireland, metaphoric to the lies of the devil in the garden, and pagan practices of his time.
St. Patrick’s life contradicts modern interpretations of drunken celebrations that hardly even know or celebrate the basic Irish independence it stands for. In addition it lacks the nature of God’s love and mercy St. Patrick experienced and shared with those who tried to enslave him, thus leading them to later revere him. St. Patrick’s life is an example of service and self-sacrifice to those around us, and the greater good it can eventually do after the hate and persecution. It was contagious as many became priests and nuns due to his inspirational life of sacrifice during that time. He also performed all church functions for free due to scandal that was caused by his accepting of monies at certain times. He returned the money to the people, and served the people for free never allowing money to get in the way of his greatest purpose, to share the gospel of love and mercy.
May we be reminded through St. Patrick, no greater sacrifice than to lay one’s life down for their friends, or in Patrick’s case, his captors who later became his friends. During the month of March, when you are enjoying something green or Irish for this special day, remember to ask St. Patrick for help in understanding God’s will in your life. Like St. Patrick, at first it might seem uncomfortable, but in the end greatness and good are waiting when you let God guide you.
