The Promise of Being Marked as Christ’s Own

Do you like snakes? I am not particularly fond of them, so if Saint Patrick popped around to banish them from my land as the legend claims he did for Ireland, then I would be truly grateful.

Legendary stories aside, the life of Saint Patrick has become almost as big as that of Saint Nicholas in American culture. Just as Santa Claus has outstripped his historical counterpart, so have leprechauns outstripped Ireland’s beloved patron saint. School children might set up leprechaun traps and “naughty” leprechauns may leave marks just as the “Elf on the Shelf” does in December. Rivers and beer are dyed green, and affected Irish accents are all the rage.

What would Saint Patrick think of the hoopla and consumerism surrounding his feast day? As a missionary to the Celts, he made it a policy to bring gifts to the leaders, but never accept any himself. He is credited with doing a lot of work on using their terms to elaborate on theological concepts. The use of the three-leafed clover, also known as a shamrock, to illustrate the concept of the Trinity may not be correctly attributed to him, but it is a beautiful concept nonetheless. What is known is that he wrote about his calling from God to the Celtic people of Ireland.

Saint Patrick’s writings show a humble man who was incredibly aware of the kindness of God. His experience of enslavement deepened his faith and also built his empathy for the Celtic people.  

“So I am first of all a simple country person, a refugee, and unlearned. I do not know how to provide for the future. But this I know for certain, that before I was brought low, I was like a stone lying deep in the mud. Then he who is powerful came and in his mercy pulled me out, and lifted me up and placed me on the very top of the wall. That is why I must shout aloud in return to the Lord for such great good deeds of his, here and now and forever, which the human mind cannot measure.”

Saint Patrick’s life was a journey from being an enslaved sheepherder to roaming about the land baptizing in the name of Jesus. A violent death was always a possibility, and still he went out because he believed the message that God had given to him, and it was not to banish literal snakes from Ireland.

“In the knowledge of this faith in the Trinity, and without letting the dangers prevent it, it is right to make known the gift of God and his eternal consolation. It is right to spread abroad the name of God faithfully and without fear, so that even after my death I may leave something of value to the many thousands of my brothers and sisters – the children whom I baptised in the Lord.”

There is a phrase from the Episcopal baptismal rite that I think Saint Patrick would love to use. It is found on page 308 of the Book of Common Prayer, and is said by the priest as they place holy oil on the forehead of the newly baptized. 

“You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever. Amen.” 

In one of the remaining writings of Saint Patrick he refers to the slaughtering and enslavement of many newly baptized Christians. He seeks the freedom of the captured and laments the deaths of the victims, calling for the justice of heaven and earth on those who committed the heinous act of murder. All while rejoicing that the departed’s souls are now safe in eternal salvation, which was his greatest desire.

The promise of being marked as Christ’s own gave Patrick the courage to face the conflict and violence that would often meet him in his work. His faithfulness resulted in a nation that reveres him with legends and truths. There is a prayer/poem/blessing known as The Breastplate of St. Patrick, which he may or may not have written. The sentiments expressed through its words are as true today as they ever were, and echo Patrick’s writings. It is a fitting prayer to remember through the good and the hard seasons of life.

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.