St. Patrick

Every St. Patrick’s Day I cringe a bit.  This dear saint who:  “…..was a Briton and a former slave in Ireland, was born in 389 and lived until 461.  He became the ‘Apostle to Ireland’, traveling widely, evangelizing tirelessly and organizing churches and monasteries. He established his episcopal seat in Armagh, which became the center of Christianity for the whole of Ireland.  Patrick was fearless in pursuit of his aim:  to destroy paganism and to exalt the name of the Triune God.”  (Taken from Celtic Daily Prayer).

What do you think about today when you hear it’s St. Patrick’s Day.  Lots of revelry, green rivers, green clothes, green beer, lots of green beer, parades?  Nothing too reverent.  No evangelizing.  No exalting the name of the Triune God, at least in what might be deemed appropriate ways.  

The Downtown Indianapolis bars and restaurants are thrilled that people will be flocking down for the celebrations today, for the basketball games, and one other event that slips my mind.  One bar reported that they purchased 100 additional kegs of beer for the next four days/nights.  Hmmmmm……Maybe you can catch a glimpse of my sadness over this day, and for St. Patrick.  Maybe it’s just because I am Polish!  *smile*