Luck of the Irish

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Hope you're all wearing green.

Today is a fun celebration of all things Irish. Irish Springs Soap, Lucky Charms, "The Boondock Saints," and Leprechaun's, though preferably not the kind played by Warwick Davis. It also seems to have become an unofficial drinking holiday, especially in the United States. I couldn't help but chuckle at the sandwich board sign on the sidewalk downtown for the local bar that proudly proclaimed it would open at 6 a.m. for St. Patrick's Day. That's exactly where I'd like to be at 6:15 a.m. on a Wednesday morning, at the bar.

It's kind of fun to wear green and celebrate the "Luck of the Irish." Of course, I don't know how great that luck actually is.....just ask Notre Dame football fans.

Though everyone has a perception of what St. Patrick's Day is, or rather has become, few probably know it began as a religious holiday. While there is little known about Patrick, he was born in Roman-controlled Britain in the Fifth Century. At some point he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland. He escaped and, upon his return home, enter the priesthood. Later, he felt "called" back to save the Irish and traveled there to spread the Gospel. After 30 years of teaching and preaching there, he died on March 17, 461. The shamrock became a symbol of Patrick's ministry and the celebration of his work because he frequently used it to explain the trinity.

I think there are some good lessons to learn from Patrick. First, he never lost faith. Though he was kidnapped and became a slave, Patrick had faith God would see him through that hard time, and he did. Not only that, Patrick felt convicted to return to Ireland to try and reach the lost. To me that's an incredible example of living out the faith.

So, while it's fun to wear green, eat potatoes, corned beef and cabbage and generally celebrate all things Irish, it's good to remember the lessons of St. Patrick's life too. His example is something we can all aspire to, regardless of our cultural heritage.