St Patrick: A Saint for our Time
We welcome St Patrick's Day this weekend as an opportunity to celebrate the gift of faith and knowledge of God which St Patrick brought to our shores. St Patrick has become more of a cultural mythological figure in recent times and is celebrated in a secular manner rather than religious. We know that St Patrick lived in Ireland and we know of his vision and mission from the evidence of his own account in the Confessions of St Patrick and also from the Annals of Ulster as written by Muirchu in the 7th century. Patrick was a slave in Ireland, he escaped and on return to his family he chose to become a priest and consequently became bishop for the purpose of bringing Christianity to Ireland.
St Patrick came to a country where people engaged in pagan ritual and celebrations. It became his mission as, bishop of Ireland (Confessions E.1) to share the Gospel and to baptise all who chose to accept the message of Jesus. St Patrick didn't set about overturning paganism, but brought a new layer of meaning to the lived experience of the people. He brought the invitation to follow Jesus to Ireland.
St Patrick connected with the images of light which also were revered in paganism. Croagh Patrick was a place of worship for the people of the time as it was considered the highest point and most westerly point from which the setting sun could be seen for longest. The people of the time believed that they could spend most time with the sun god on this mountain near Westport.
The life-giving force of the energy and light of the sun has always been recognised and respected as is further evidenced in Newgrange in the winter equinox. St Patrick integrated the desert experience of Jesus and the pilgrimage on the mountain in prayer to the Gospel proclaimed Light of Christ - the Christ who lights our path towards truth and hope. The Croagh Patrick pilgrimage is a call to repentance - to change our lives to become more life-giving.
The image of light is further engaged on the Hill of Tara. The view from the top of the Hill of Tara is magnificent with a vista which stretches for miles in all directions. It may have been the seat of the High Kings of Ireland while also being an ancient place of burial and worship. St Patrick preached on the Hill of Tara and built the Easter Fire to proclaim God's presence at the physical and historical point influence. St Patrick worshiped the kingship of God and the power of God's everlasting and dependable reign in lighting a fire which could be seen from far and wide.
St Patrick was consistent in bringing light into the lives of those whom he encountered and a rootedness in meaning found and proclaimed in the Gospels. The challenge which the life of St Patrick presents for us currently is that we seek to live in truth and goodness with meaning found in what lasts. St Patrick challenges us to consider what our fundamental option in life is and to connect with a rootedness which holds us firm through every experience of life. For those who choose Christianity: Gospel values, relationship with God and Christian community are our anchors and source of abiding light.
Reflection: What light guides your life today? Where is your anchor?
Cathy Burke,
Lucan Partnership of Parishes
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