Upheld In The Mystical

A Slave

Patricius shivered and gathered his tattered clothing closer. The light mist enfolded him like a clammy cloak. Most of the sheep he watched huddled together for warmth, but a few stubborn ewes dotted the hillside, alone. He’d better go get them.

At least moving will keep the blood flowing, he thought as he trudged toward one animal, then another to nudge them to the flock.

I can hardly remember what it was like to be warm and dry. O Holy One, guard my thoughts and my ways. I will trust You in whatever is your plan.

St. Patrick was born in Britain to a well-to-do family. As he grew into his teen years, he did what most well born young men did. That is, until God arrested this aimless existence by allowing an Irish clan to kidnap him and make him a slave. For the next five years, he scrabbled for his existence while tending sheep for an Irish lord who did not provide basic necessities. This is the training ground for Patrick to meet his God and learn to trust and depend on Him for everything.

A Son–Called

Patricius escaped back to his parents, but found he did not belong there anymore. One night, in a vision, Patricius received a letter from the hand of Victoricus, a man he knew in Ireland. He read “The Voice of the Irish” and heard the cry: “We beg you to come and walk among us once more.” He awoke, feeling “stabbed in the heart.”

Thus began the preparation for this saint to become the first Christian missionary to a foreign people since the first century. His interrupted education was resumed with difficulty and he went on to finish, be ordained as a Bishop and returned to Ireland. Patrick was well beloved in Ireland. He started monasteries, and cared for the people. Relationships were important to him.

A Debt

History is not so big as one would think. We are closely bound to the ties of the past. Patrick lived at a crossroads in history – a time when the Roman Empire was crumbling and the barbarians roamed the continent, killing people, erasing civilization and burning libraries. For some reason, the Celts were left alone. Perhaps Ireland was too far west to bother with? Civilization today owes a huge debt to those monks, under Patrick’s care, who painstakingly copied volumes of books and saved western knowledge.

 

Peace

Visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral and burial ground held a mystical peace. In the hush and tranquility, the awe of timeless hope hovered. I could almost sense voices from the past whispering to me. Calling me to remember a heritage that Jesus left us. He has risen; therefore we rise in His Image.