pat loughery

I hope you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day today.  I plan to, certainly.

I plan to celebrate Patrick, a Briton who was kidnapped as a young boy by Irish slavers and learned to pray constantly through horrific circumstances. 

I plan to celebrate the Patrick who heard the voice of God in nature around him, and in nighttime dreams.

I plan to celebrate the Patrick who left the world he knew, guided only by faith, and crossed mountains and bogs to find passage on an unknown ship to home.

I plan to celebrate the Patrick who was shipwrecked on the short trip home, who again heard God’s lead and who led his shipmates to a feast.

I plan to celebrate the Patrick who, on returning home, entered into the service of God through training, education and submission to his church.

I plan to celebrate the Patrick who again heard the voice of God in dreams, asking him to risk.

I plan to celebrate the Patrick who left the comfort and safety of success and home, and who went back to walk with those who had enslaved him.

I plan to celebrate the Patrick who taught the Irish people Christianity on their terms, in their language, in their style.

I plan to celebrate the Patrick who carefully respected local cultures and authority.

I plan to celebrate the Patrick who roamed the hills on which he was enslaved, now followed by local tribespeople who were fascinated by his stories of the Trinitarian God.

I plan to celebrate the Patrick who established communities which nurtured Christian faith, where previously there was no community.

I plan to celebrate the Patrick who trained both men and women as leaders, and whose mentorship produced St. Brigid, one of the great leaders in history.

I plan to celebrate the Patrick who died and left behind him a legacy that influenced the history of our planet, who could have just as easily stayed home in a comfortable, safe place when God was calling him back to those who had enslaved him.

More about Patrick, from Christine Sine’s blog last year: