Two Things

"I am Patrick, yes a sinner and indeed untaught; yet I am established here in Ireland where I profess myself bishop. I am certain in my heart that all that I am, I have received from God."

These words were written by none other than St. Patrick, the person whose life and work we celebrate these days by drinking green beer, wearing green, pinching those who forget or refuse to wear green, and dining on Irish cuisine such as corned beef and cabbage. Two things Patrick is known for saying explicitly about himself in writing: "I am obviously unlearned," and, "I am a sinner."

The occasion was that of sending a letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus, a band of ungodly, vicious pagans who were not just ignorant of the Faith but enemies; who would gladly slaughter Christians as soon as they were baptized.

The gist of St. Patrick's letter is one of warning. But it is not without comfort. It is laden with references from the Holy Scriptures, which throughout all history are God's gentle rain of wisdom, knowledge, virtue, and everything that concerns Who He Is. These are what informed St. Patrick in every way as he addressed both friend and enemy.

St. Patrick knew his place. "Yes, a sinner and indeed untaught." No pompous glory or false authority here. By the grace of God in Christ Jesus the log in his eye had been removed. He saw himself and the condition of the world about him as one subject to all the wrath of God against sin. He knew his place as a creature, too, acknowledging that all he was, and all he had, came from Above, just as you do when you say, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.”

What do you have that you did not receive from Above? This question is so excellent, every Christian ought to ask it within himself daily, for it puts everything else into perspective, whether poverty or wealth, sickness or health, life or death, whatever is given under the sun. It all originates from, and is lavishly bestowed by, a gracious Father in Heaven. This is just the first indication the God is indeed good and kind.

So pervasive is this grace and favor, that no matter what comes the way of those who bear the sign of the cross, not even death will separate them from the love of God. The heart of God is so merciful, yearning with all His being to bring us to Himself, that He undertook to shed innocent blood in our place through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and invites to ask anything we desire of Him, and even to teach us the right things to ask.

You share in all the good things St. Patrick does. His soul lives and awaits the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come, just like you, because he, and many whom he taught are baptized into Christ Jesus, just like you.

You may take comfort is seeing how Patrick was given to persevere under the most trying of circumstances, with brutish, godless, demonic people all around him. It is not much different today for Christians, and even seems to be getting worse. You may take comfort because you are baptized into the same Christ, and receive His forgiveness of sins richly and daily.

And he watched over me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and he protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son.