St Patrick! Why I like him still!

Some people don’t like to think about saints. I do, partly because I’m curious about their personal spiritualities and what really motivated them.

 Why I like Patrick. He was a practical mystic. And an authentic one-singular in many ways, unique, but moved in that ancient way of Christ.

 Was enslaved when young, and then went back, led by a dream/vision, to the place where he was captive, and brought supernatural power to deliver a nation, through relationships. So was a prophet poet to the nations, like Jeremiah.

 He also left confessions and poetry, as his legacy of words. Good art and an apology– not a bad legacy.

 I walked the St Patrick path across the heart of Ireland years ago, and was really touched, and imparted by his love for other, and spiritual fatherhood. Interesting saint. Worth considering. He also had strategy, worked with kings, but also the poor and outcast. I like his style of carrying life. Plus, lots of cool miracles happened around him which included nature, the earth, the creatures.

 He was ecumenical, missional, loved and sought out “other”-even often “pagan” or rejected others. He was often rejected or misunderstood by the institutional church, but kept following God. This guy was cool, a poetic maverick and pioneer of being.

 He seemed to have forgiven the mainstream folks who were threatened by him, but still lived out his calling, walked his path. Didn’t seem like a bitter fellow, or egotistical. Just having sat with him for years, i think he is an interesting saint, woetht emulating or at least considering when you think of The Way. And he had that inner burning in his heart to bless others, especially multi-culturally. He couldn’t shut out The Voice of Love.

 Considering him and his way, this birthday week.