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You observe days and months and seasons and years! _{Gal 4:10 (ESV)}

This year Saint Patrick’s day falls on the Monday of Holy week, the week leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. It is ironic, in a sense, that this year the day that was set aside to honor the death of one man, Saint Patrick, sets off a week that ends in the death of one man, Jesus. The week starts on a celebration and ends on one as well. Granted the latter being more significant then the former but none-the-less two celebrations indeed bookend this week.

To the Christians, Resurrection Sunday is the grandest of all celebrations for it was on this day that Jesus arose from the dead, to release all those who where held captive by sin. To a true Irishman, Saint Patrick’s day is a day to celebrate being freed from paganism. The one celebrates a death while the other celebrates a life. Saint Patrick, although credited with Christianizing Ireland over his 30 year ministry, can not compare to Jesus who brought Christianity to the whole world during his 3 and a half year ministry.

Posthumously both received acclaim as being men of God, but only Jesus can rightfully claim the title King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Similarities and contrasts exist for both celebrations. On the one hand we have a nation, Ireland, celebrating the liberation from moral depravity through the influence of the Catholic church and it’s missionary Patrick. On the other hand we see the celebration of life from death, experienced in the life of a born again believer through the influence of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Both were persecuted by those who hated them. For Saint Patrick it was the imprisonment at the hands of Irish Marauders, and later hatred by Celtic Druids, who resented his effective work at converting their followers to Christianity. Jesus too was sought after by the Scribes and Pharisees of his day who plotted to arrest him.

Both men had reached out to the very ones who initially persecuted them. For Saint Patrick it was his ministry to Ireland that was laid heavy on his heart while being imprisoned by Irish Marauders. For Christ it was his love for the Jewish people that made him reach out to them even though they were instrumental in his crucifixion. Nevertheless he cried out, ” Father forgive them for they know not what they do”.

Many myths surround the life of Saint Patrick and there are many today trying to discredit the authenticity of Christ by calling it a myth. It seems to me, more people believe the myths about Saint Patrick then actually believe the truth of Jesus Christ. Saint Patrick has been credited with many things, one of which was raising people from the dead. Although much of this folklore can not be substantiated.

Conversely Jesus actually did raise people from the dead and many eyewitness reports give credence to these facts. The last of which was his own resurrection from the dead which was witnessed by many who gave their testimony. Saint Patrick was credited with giving a hilltop message that drove out all the snakes of Ireland although no snakes were ever native to Ireland. Some people think this is a metaphor for the conversion of the pagans. By comparison Jesus crushed Satan’s head, the old serpent, on a hilltop outside Jerusalem. His mountain top experience transformed the lives of all who were to follow after including Saint Patrick himself. Had it not been for the work of Jesus before, Patrick would have nothing to bear witness to, after.

Saint Patrick was the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion of the Irish country to Christianity. Jesus on the other hand, was the instrument of God for salvation to the whole world. He traveled throughout Judea telling the good news of God and making disciples who would later evangelize the earth. Through His spirit, converts today who follow in the footsteps of all the saints who have gone on before, witness to the life- changing power of the gospel of Christ and many souls are being saved around the world. Jesus thereby established the church that later sent forth Saint Patrick. Had there been no Jesus, there would have been no Saint Patrick. Had there been no gospel to preach, there would have been no salvation available to anyone, let alone the Irish people of Saint Patrick’s day.

Jesus and Patrick both preached against the evils of paganism and idol worship. Although Patrick preached against such practices, the day marked as a celebration of his death is more of an occasion to drink and be merry. Children tell tales of fanciful little people and pots of gold at the ends of rainbows. Four leaf clovers adorn many on this festive day. I feel that had Saint Patrick been witness to these events he would once again decry their actions as paganism.

Patrick’s mission lasted 30 years and he died on March 17th AD 461. It is that date that is celebrated as Saint Patrick’s day. Jesus’s ministry lasted 3 and a half years and ended with his death on the cross of Calvary AD 30. Although he had only a handful of followers at the time of his death Jesus’s ministry continues today and countless multitudes bear witness to his testimony.

Today, people celebrate Saint Patrick’s day with parades, wearing of the green, and drinking green beer. One reason St. Patrick’s Day might have become so popular is that it takes place just a few days before the first day of spring. One might say it has become the first green of spring. By contrast, churches around the world celebrate Resurrection Sunday with joyous celebration and praise to God. By Jesus’ resurrection, hope was once again restored, death had lost the battle, Satan had been crushed, life was given to those who were dead to trespasses and sin. Truly Resurrection Sunday was the beginning of all things being made new.

So go ahead and celebrate this week. Have a joyous time of remembrance. Whether we celebrate the death of a dear saint of God or the life of Jesus Christ, let us never forgot that without the cross there really would be no reason to celebrate at all.

Happy Saint Patrick’s day!

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. _{Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)}