"Though we had already suffered and been shamefully maltreated . . . we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts." - 1 Thessalonians 2:2-4
Dear Friends in Christ -
Today was a day for eating corned beef and cabbage, for drinking green beer. But in the midst of the celebration, we are called to remember what the celebration is about.
The Irish celebrate Saint Patrick as their patron saint because he came to bless them and to save them. Well, the truth is, the first time he set foot on the shores of Ireland, it was as a 16-year-old slave, stolen away from his family. Eventually, Patrick snuck away, caught a boat back to England, and studied to be a priest. After he became a Bishop, Patrick felt called to go back to Ireland - not to curse the people there in anger, but to bless them. Using the three leaf clover as a symbol, Patrick taught the Irish about the Trinity. I imagine that many came and listened to Patrick because they learned the story about the slave boy who became a Bishop, and their priest.
On this day of celebration, I invite you to remember the courage and love of Patrick and to follow his example. Surely there are people in your life who have earned your wrath. Likely those same people would benefit from receiving God's gift of truth and love, through you.
Blessings,
Janet+
While many would have harboured undying bitterness toward their former captors, Patrick didn't.
No comments:
Post a Comment