A Wee Bit of Patrick

From "A Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus," translated by John Skinner, included in The Confession of Saint Patrick

I am Patrick, yes a sinner and indeed untaught; yet I am established here in Ireland where I profess myself bishop.
I am certain in my heart that "all that I am," I have received from God.
So I live among barbarous tribes,
a stranger, and exile for the love of God.
He himself testifies that this is so.
I never would have wanted these harsh words to spill from my mouth; I am not in the habit of speaking so sharply.
Yet now I am driven by the zeal of God, Christ's truth has aroused me.
I speak out too for the love of my neighbors who are my only sons;
for them I gave up my home country, my parents and even pushing my own life to the brink of death.
If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so as to teach these peoples;
even though some of them still look down on me.

The more I read about him, and by him, the more I like this Patrick guy. Of course, my favorite bit of Celtic spirituality claims his name but couldn't have been written by him -- the Lorica.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Posted by Warren Kelly at March 17, 2006 07:34 PM | TrackBack