I, Patrick, a sinner

There are plenty of legends about Saint Patrick, and many of them have little foundation in reality.  Patrick did not banish the snakes from Ireland and the suggestion that he used the shamrock to explain the Trinity dates to hundreds of years after his life.  However, we do have two Latin works that are generally accepted as being written by Patrick himself: his Confession (a spiritual biography) and his letter to Coroticus (giving out to this minor king for killing and capturing Christians).  Both these works begin with the words, ‘I, Patrick, a sinner.’  He writes in the fifth-century.

Humble Orthodoxy

As I read these words, ‘I, Patrick, a sinner’, I am struck by out of touch he is with post-modern Ireland.  We are a people who shout, ‘I am a good person,’ even though Jesus says that all sorts of evil flow from our hearts.  Our identity is in self-righteousness, so we are quick to protest, ‘who are you to judge me?’  Yet the Bible says that even our good deeds are stained with pride and self-obsession.  Patrick knows himself better than most.  Don’t we regularly fail our own standards, yet alone the standards of a perfectly holy God?

But just because Patrick knows himself to be a sinner this does not mean that he is insecure about his standing before God.  He talks about God’s mercy, comfort and protection.  He says that God treated him as a good father would treat a son.  You see Patrick had a real encounter with God that changed his life.

Patrick grew up in Roman Britain, somewhere between modern Carlisle and Bristol.  His father was some sort of Christian minister.  But like many children brought up in Christian homes, Patrick turned away from the faith of his parents.  Then a shocking event took place in his life.  He was about sixteen years old when he was captured by Irish pirates and taken to Ireland as a slave.  There he looked after animals for six years.  And there, ‘the Lord opened the sense of my unbelief that I might at last remember my sins and be converted with all my heart to the Lord my God.’

Druidism, with its worship of the sun, was the religion of Ireland at that time.  But Patrick affirmed his faith in the Trinity.  In fact, he writes, ‘there is no other God, nor ever was, nor will be.’  Again, he is out of step with modern Ireland.  He might be judged today as being intolerant.  He doesn’t say, ‘whatever you believe is fine for you.’  He doesn’t think all beliefs are valid.  He doesn’t see faith as a merely private matter.  He believed in the Jesus who said, ‘I am the way the truth and the life, no-one comes to the father but by me.’  

Radical Life

Patrick’s conversion experience led to radical living.  As he worked in the fields he prayed and prayed.  He grew in his love and reverence towards God.  He mentions visions that he experienced.  In a dream he was told that he would soon return home.  It prompted him to walk a long distance until he found a ship.  Having been refused passage on that ship he turned and walked away, praying.  Before he had ended his prayer, he heard on the sailors shouting, ‘come, hurry, we shall take you on in good faith; make friends with us in whatever way you like.’  His heart’s desire for those pagan sailors was that they would come to faith in Jesus.  

After three days they reached land, and then for twenty-eight days they travelled through deserted country.  They lacked food, and hunger began to overcome them.  The captain said to Patrick, ‘tell me, Christian: you say that your God is great and all-powerful; why, then, do you not pray for us?  As you can see, we are suffering from hunger; it is unlikely indeed that we shall ever see a human being again.’  

Patrick replied, full of confidence, ‘be truly converted with all your heart to the Lord my God, because nothing is impossible for Him, that this day He may send you food on your way until you be satisfied; for His abundance is everywhere.’  Suddenly a herd of pigs appeared on the road before their eyes.  They killed the pigs and ate their fill.

A number of years later he was in Britain with his people when one night he had a vison.  In that vision a man called Victoricus was coming to him from Ireland with countless letters.  Victoricus gave him a letter which began, ‘The voice of the Irish.’  At the same time his mind was brought to the west coast, and the people were crying out, ‘We ask thee, boy, come and walk amongst us once more.’  This led to Patrick becoming one of histories great missionaries and to the conversion of thousands.

Patrick’s faith was not just shown in the spectacular, it was proved with ordinary grace.  He was betrayed by a friend with whom he had confided about some sin that he had committed when he was fifteen years old.  Yet, he is loving towards his betrayer, ‘I am sorry for my dearest friend’.  After mentioning some of the trouble that his friend got him into who, he exclaims, ‘enough of this.’  He will not go on dwelling on the hurt that was caused to him but will seek to forgive as he has been forgiven.  Sometimes it is harder to honour God in the ordinary life of living among mean people, than it is to lay down our life in the bigger tasks that God gives us.

Motivated by thankfulness and love

‘I came to Ireland to preach the gospel,’ Patrick writes.  He challenges all of his readers that we ‘ought to fish well and diligently.’  Our lives lived on this island should focus on the task of sharing our faith in Christ.  One of the things that is noticeable about this culture is that we love stories.  Ask people what they know of this country’s patron saint.  Think back to how God showed you that he is real and that he forgives self-righteous people love us.  Pray, and expect God to answer.  Listen for his voice, especially as we study the book that he has given us.

Patrick didn’t want to leave his parents.  He had to ignore discouraging voices who said behind his back: ‘why does this fellow throw himself into danger among enemies who have no knowledge of God?’  But he was motivated by the seriousness of the call.  ‘I never had any reason except the Gospel and its promises why I should ever return from whom once before I barely escaped.’  ‘I must make known the gift of God and everlasting consolation, without fear and frankly I must spread everywhere the name of God …’

Patrick was motivated by love.  The love he experienced in God caused him to love those he met.  We love because God first loved us.  He also had a deep sense of gratitude.  In fact, he was grateful in all situations.  He speaks of his ‘desire of thanksgiving.’  He says, ‘I give unwearied thanks to God.’  Seven times in in short Confession he exclaims, ‘thanks be to God.’

Conclusion—Ireland needs Saint Patricks

Why has God placed you in Ireland?  Maybe you grew up here.  Maybe, like Patrick, you grew up elsewhere.  God has you here for a purpose.  We are a land of atheists, agnostics, new-age spirituality, Muslims, Hindus and everything else—precious people made in the image of God and loved by Him.   ‘The church’ may have let you down, but Jesus is very different from so much that has done in the name of religion.  He satisfies in a way that our next purchase cannot.  He confronts our self-righteousness and says, ‘I have died for the sins of my people,’ including the sin of pride.  

Like Patrick, we should tell the story of what God is doing in our life.  Like Patrick, we can live lives of prayer and expectant faith.  Like Patrick, we’re to be thankful in all circumstances, forgive those who have betrayed us, and keep going even when other discourage us.  Like Patrick, we are be motivated by love, and convinced that knowing the one and only God is the most important need of all on this island.