St Patrick was a former slave (he was captured in Britain and taken to Ireland at the age of 14) who later converted to Christianity and became an incredibly powerful Evangelist. Apparently, he never believed himself worthy or talented enough to minister to others (in that way at least he is a man after my own heart since I once felt that doing theology was a completely arrogant undertaking! How can we presume to teach or preach about God, I wondered???!! And yet, I felt called to do so!) But where weakness stands bent and trembling, grace overshadows, frees, empowers, and perfects!!!
In the New Testament a word for the speech of who proclaims the Gospel openly and with courage is parrhesia. Patrick's speech was that kind of bold and open speech and today we recognize that his influence over the monks (and others) who came after and were inspired by him, was great and extended over the whole of the British Isles; in some ways it touched and still touches the whole world. As we all become Irish for today at least, let us be inspired by St Patrick's humility and also speak God's truth in courage and openness wherever we find ourselves.
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