SUNDAY March 17, 2024
St. Patrick’s Day
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit….”
Matthew 28:19
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17th––it commemorates the day of his death, March 17, 461. Although this celebration has been made into a secular holiday, it has a deeper, Christian importance. Patrick was a God-called missionary to Ireland. He was born into a Christian family in Roman Britain, but he had no real interest in the church. As a boy of about 16, he was captured by slave traders and taken to Ireland.
Patrick believed God was chastening him for his unbelief, and he would pray night and day for forgiveness. He tended sheep in all kinds of harsh, cold weather––rain, sleet and snow. Through his trials and sufferings, he came to know Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He said, “I turned with all my heart to the Lord my God, and he looked down on my lowliness and had mercy on my youthful ignorance.”
After six years in captivity, Patrick was able to escape from Ireland by ship. He returned to his homeland––Britain. Upon arrival, Patrick studied for the ministry. In a vision, God called him to return to Ireland and to preach the Gospel. As Patrick traveled across the Irish countryside, he preached the Gospel of peace to the hostile, pagan Celts. He brought the Light of Christ to those in spiritual darkness. Legend has it that Patrick even used the shamrock plant to explain the Trinity––the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
As Patrick faithfully preached the Gospel, a fire of revival was lit among the people in Ireland. He reflected: “I am greatly in debt to God. He gave me such great grace that through me, many people should be born again in God and brought to full life.” Toward the end of his life, he wrote: “I commend my soul to my most faithful God, for him I performed the work of an ambassador.”
God can do a tremendous work through the life of any yielded man or woman who will answer the call of God to go preach the Gospel.
My name is Patrick, I am a sinner, a simple country person, and least of all believers.
~St. Patrick~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
