St Patrick

I cannot pass by today without commenting on St. Patrick. Patrick was born in the early fourth century near Dumbarton, Scotland. A son of a Roman official, he was kidnapped at 14 and sold to a farmer in Ireland. For the next six years he tended sheep, and learned the various cultural and cult-ways of the Irish people. During this time he turned to God in prayer. He escaped back to his homeland when he was 20. He entered seminary and was ordained a priest. His "real" call, or yearning, was to return to Ireland so as to plant Christianity among the pagans there. He eventually did just that. Consecrated a Bishop, Patrick used simple examples to explain the mysteries of the Christian faith.

One of the best known examples of this is his teaching on the Trinity. Using a shamrock he indicated the oneness of God the Father, and the three natures of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are told he drove the snakes out of Ireland. Not the reptiles but the evil that was prevalent through the Druid practices. His deep love and kindness brought many of the Irish people to the Christian faith. Patrick was certainly a great missionary and a holy priest.

When we are ordained, we share in Christ's priesthood as Priest, Prophet, and King. As priest we offer up the sacrifice of bread and wine, which become the Body and Blood of Jesus. We do this as a participation in the Pascal mystery, and a continuation of the consecration of God's people. As a prophet we are to proclaim the truth of the Gospel message. And then as king priests preside over God's people, shepherding hem with care and compassion. It is a very holy and humbling service that we are part of, we priests.

To be sure I am always aware that I am on 'holy ground' each and every time I anoint, offer the sacrament of reconciliation, visit the sick and the home-bound, and even when I am with the junior high kids. There is that line in the ordination ritual which challenges the priest to, "imitate the sacrifice they celebrate."

Patrick is one of those models of faith who helps us understand what the Church and ministry is all about. Continuing to proclaim Good News is a large and ongoing task. We do this in the image of Christ so as to bring the likeness of the Kingdom to God's people.