Meditation Monday - Remembering St Patrick
Its’ March 17th, St Patrick’s Day . To me it is sad to think that celebrating this great founder of the Irish church has been trivialized by many to the eating of corned beef and cabbage, sometimes accompanied by green beer. In fact my first introduction to this celebration was many years ago when one of our cooks on the Anastasis served up green scrambled eggs for breakfast. None of us were impressed.
Today, however, I relish this celebration of a man who helped spread the gospel not with violence and oppression but through peace and love, in a time of darkness and oppression. More than that, St. Patrick was one of the first to speak out against slavery and in defense of women. As one who had been enslaved himself, Patrick proclaimed his authority as a Bishop and spoke out against the kidnapping and murder perpetrated by the Romans and his countrymen.
The celebration of his life seems a very pertinent celebration for the season of Lent.
From Slave to Bishop
Born in the late 4th century somewhere in England or Wales, at age sixteen, he was captured by Irish slave traders and taken to Ireland where he was sold and forced to work as a shepherd slave. He writes in his Confession that this existence was harsh; as he was forced to live and work in poverty and in terrible weather. Yet, it was in the midst of the rain, wind, and wet earth that he began to pray and experienced the living Spirit of Christ dwelling within his own body.
After a few years of captivity, he heard a voice telling him that he would soon go home, and then that his ship was ready. Fleeing his master, he travelled to a port two hundred miles away, where he found a ship and with difficulty persuaded the captain to take him. After various adventures, he returned home to his family, now in his early twenties. After returning home to Britain, Patrick continued to study Christianity. He then studied and received Holy Orders in the Church. Then at age 48, he made a stunning decision. Listening to the voice, now often referred to as “the Voice of the Irish”, he received a call to return to Ireland. Patrick became the world’s first missionary bishop and remained among the Irish for the rest of his life, dying at around the age of 70.
Patrick had a unique ministry among the Irish people. Rather than focusing on conversions and moving on to the next village; Patrick and his assistants settled down among the people and lived the Christian life. He and his fellow monks cared for the poor and children in the local villages. He helped women find refuge in monasteries. Patrick’s mission was built on attraction and inclusion. At least forty of the one hundred fifty Irish tribes became Christian. Yet, remarkably there were no wars, no blood was shed and no martyrs were made during his mission.
Perhaps this was because Patrick was able to adopt and adapt local customs into his teaching and preaching of Christianity. For example, it is believed that Patrick devised the first Celtic Cross, drawing a Christian cross on a druidic standing stone.
Sadly, Patrick also had conflict with the Roman Church. While he was successful in planting a fresh expression of Christianity, adapting it to the culture where he was, he was criticized for not doing church ‘the Roman way.’ He was especially chastised for speaking out against human trafficking and slavery. During his lifetime, Patrick endured physical hardship, slavery, hostility and criticism. Despite being rejected by the Church he lived to serve, he lived in a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation. He was indeed an amazing man worthy of celebrating today.
Going Green for St Patrick’s Day
If you still really want to go green for St Patrick’s Day in honour of St Patrick who often used examples from creation to illustrate his points, consider these ideas:
Eat locally grown corned beef and cabbage or better yet consider a vegetarian option like potato leek soup and soda bread made from fresh milled grains. Spread some creamy Irish butter (or your favourite local butter) on warm slices of soda bread. The richness of the butter complements the earthy flavors of the freshly milled flour.
Cheese Platter: Serve a selection of local cheeses, rather than the traditional Irish cheeses such as Dubliner, Cashel Blue, or Irish cheddar ,alongside the soda bread. Add some sliced apples, grapes, and nuts for a well-rounded cheese board.
Evidently producing half a pound of corn-fed hamburger releases as much greenhouse gas into the atmosphere as driving a 3,000 pound car nearly 10 miles.
Drink only local brews - there are probably some as good as Guiness out there.
Toss green bird seed instead of confetti at your St Patrick’s Day parade.
Plant something green in the garden or buy a green plant for the house.
Taking Patrick’s Breastplate Seriously
Listen to these beautiful renditions of Patrick’s Breastplate, the most famous of his prayers. His confidence in Christ’s presence around him is incredible when you consider the hardships he endured. Take time to reflect on this prayer. How does your spirit respond?
The first is the full prayer spoken in a splendid Irish brogue by . The second is a song beautifully sung by Rita Connolly. Well worth taking time to sit and listen to both of these.
And just because I could not resist adding my own stamp to St Patrick’s Day here is my rendition of the prayer in a responsive litany:
We bind unto ourselves today
the strong name of the trinity,
By invocation of the same,
the Three in One and One in three.
We bind this day to us forever, by power of faith, Christ’s Incarnation;
His baptism in the Jordan River; his death on cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spiced tomb; His riding up the heavenly way;
his coming at the day of doom; We bind unto ourselves today.
We cast off the works of darkness,
And put on the armour of light,
Light before us and behind,
Light within and light without,
Light to guide and to lead us,
Let us clothe ourselves with Christ.
Christ behind us, Christ before us,
Christ beside us, Christ to win us,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath us, Christ above us,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love us,
Christ in mouth of friend & stranger
Let us wrap ourselves around with the belt of truth,
And strap on the breastplate of righteousness,
Let us clad our feet with the gospel of peace,
place the helmet of salvation on our heads.
And take up the shield of faith.
Let us clothe ourselves with Christ.
We bind unto ourselves today, the power of God to hold and lead,
God’s eye to watch, God’s might to stay, God’s ear to harken to our need,
The wisdom of our God to teach, God’s hand to guide, and shield to ward,
The Word of God to give us speech, God’s heavenly host to be our guard.
In the love of God who shelters us,
In the light of Christ who walks beside us,
In the power of the Spirit who dwells within us,
We place ourselves today.
Let us clothe ourselves with Christ.
We bind unto ourselves today the strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same, the Three in One, the One in Three.
Of whom all nature hath creation, Eternal God, Spirit, Word;
Praise to the God of our salvation, Salvation is of Christ the Lord.