Thomas Griffin 3/17/25
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Let Us Begin: New Book on the Life and Power of St. Francis
Today is a day for celebration. Not just to have some corned beef and beer, but to rejoice in the fact that we were given such a witness as St. Patrick. His faith, courage, and focus on the divine above all else should inspires us today to be strong in our relationship with Christ and to persevere against all worldly odds.
He was born in Britain in the late 4th century and was kidnapped at the age of 16 and enslaved in Ireland. In The Confession of St. Patrick, he reflected on his time in slavery and his relationship with God: “God watched over me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and he protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son.”
Even in his suffering, Patrick saw that God was immensely present to him. In hindsight, he could see how God never abandoned him. After escaping slavery, Patrick returned to Britain but would later return to his place of enslavement to spread the message and mission of Jesus.
He said: “I came to the people of Ireland to preach the gospel, and to suffer insult from the unbelievers, bearing the reproach of my going abroad and many persecutions even unto bonds, and to give my free birth for the benefit of others.”
Patrick’s return and his desire to spread the good news of our salvation was challenging. Similar to today’s world, people don’t want to hear someone claiming that they hold the truth – the key to unlocking the meaning of life. For Patrick and for Christians, that key is Jesus. A relationship with him unlocks the door to true life.
In the face of challenging times and circumstances, we can learn from the words of Patrick:
“For daily I expect to be murdered or betrayed or reduced to slavery if the occasion arises. But I fear nothing, because of the promises of Heaven; for I have cast myself into the hands of Almighty God, who reigns everywhere. As the prophet says: ‘Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you.”
During Lent, we are invited to cast our trials on God, knowing that He is always there for us. This can sound like pious language, but when a person is enduring slavery and then persecution – reliance on God becomes real. Patrick was not afraid of what the future could bring because he lived from the disposition that God keeps His promise to always be with us.
The more we trust in God, the more that we will realize that we need to be more refined into the holy man or woman God is calling us to be. In the moments when we do shine as God intended, we can see that He is crafting us into who we were meant to be. In speaking about his own road to holiness, Patrick said:
“I know for certain, that before I was humbled I was like a stone lying in deep mire, and he that is mighty came and in his mercy raised me up and, indeed, lifted me high up and placed me on top of the wall. And from there I ought to shout out in gratitude to the Lord for his great favours in this world and forever, that the mind of man cannot measure.”
Without the help of God, he would be like a rock on the ground, unable to move. With God’s help, he has been lifted to the heights to view reality as it truly is. This is what the saints reveal: they show us that when we make Christ the center of our lives we see things from his perspective. This led St. Patrick to write the following prayer of praise:
“God, my God, omnipotent King, I humbly adore thee. Thou art King of kings, Lord of lords. Thou art the Judge of every age. Thou art the Redeemer of souls. Thou art the Liberator of those who believe. Thou art the Hope of those who toil. Thou art the Comforter of those in sorrow. Thou art the Way to those who wander.”
For the many in our world who wonder what this life has to offer, Patrick shouts to the masses that God is our foundation and our ending. If we desire to be fully alive, we must cling to Him and allow Him to raise us to the heights of true holiness.
Thomas Griffin is the chairperson of the religion department at a Catholic high school on Long Island where he lives with his wife and two sons. He has a masters degree in theology and is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Empty Tomb Project: The Magazine. He is the author of Let Us Begin: Saint Francis’s Way of Becoming Like Christ and Renewing the World.
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