Today many parts of the world celebrate the patron saint of Ireland, St Patrick.
St Patrick is a figure somewhat shrouded in mystery and legend. As a figure involved in missionary work so early it is not easy to get hard facts on his life. His work as a missionary in Ireland could best be described as “organic” rather than institutional since the Irish monastery system and the diocesan model were not established until after him.
There is one aspect of St Patrick’s story that has always stood out to me. At the age of 16 he was captured by Irish raiders in his home of Wales and was taken to Ireland as a slave. He was there for 6 years before escaping and returning to his family. Back home he entered the Church and after training he returned to the northern and western parts of Ireland as a missionary.
The fact that he would return to the place of his captors and slave masters to serve them and offer them the redeeming gospel of Jesus has much to offer in today’s world. So often when we are wronged our first response is revenge, not an offering of service.
When I hear stories of people being taken into slavery in today’s world, my instinctual response to the slave traders is one of anger and a desire for a retaliation that is somewhat violence in nature. St Patrick offers a better model, one of grace towards the oppressor; one that recognises their humanity and sees a place for them in a better human story.
All the legends and myths aside, I believe this to be the greatest part of the story of St Patrick and it is something that speaks volumes to us now and also says something to the slave-trade.
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