ROYAL PARK PLACE Life Style
Chaplain’s Corner God Meant It For Good
Patrick returned to Ireland and started his first church in 432 in a barn. He ministered to the people and, at times, longed to return to his native home. The Holy Spirit laid on his heart that he was in the right place and needed to remain in Ireland, for there was much work to be done. Patrick and his followers followed the example of Jesus’ disciples. They went from place to place, preaching the gospel, baptizing believers, forming churches, and training leaders. Patrick wrote that he baptized many thousands of believers and ordained hundreds of priests. As I reread this story, I was reminded of how Patrick’s life reflects the lives of many figures in the Bible and, of course, the story of our Savior Jesus. The hardships Jesus endured in His lifetime, including separation from His heavenly Father, the challenges of His ministry, bringing the gospel to the people, training His disciples, and His ultimate suffering and death, were all intended by God for good. For the good of those who need to hear and believe the message of Jesus’ sacrificial death so that our sins may be paid for. As the celebration and remembrance take place on March 17 in honor of St. Patrick, let us also remember with humility during this season of Lent and prepare to celebrate the gift of our resurrected Savior Jesus on Easter. Jesus was born to live a perfect life so that our sins could be placed upon Him to satisfy the punishment we deserve from God. Jesus’ sacrifice was meant by God for good, our good. Thank you, Jesus!
March 17 is recognized as the day of St. Patrick’s death after a life spent responding to God’s call to evangelize the island of Ireland. Patrick was
born in Roman Britain, as it was known during his lifetime, and was a Roman citizen. The Roman Empire at that time extended into the area where Patrick was born. Patrick’s family was Christian. His father was a town official and a church deacon, and his grandfather was a priest in the Christian faith. At the age of 16, Patrick was captured by Irish raiders who took him to Ireland and sold him as a slave. This was not uncommon; thousands of others over the years faced the same experience. Patrick became a shepherd and watched over flocks in Ireland. He wrote in his autobiographical account that he prayed many times a day, his faith and love for God increased, and he sensed the Holy Spirit at work. After six years, he escaped and made his way 200 miles to the ocean, where he secured passage back to Britain. After some time, he reunited with his family but later had a vision of a man begging him to return to Ireland and bring the gospel. He spent 15 years training as a deacon and priest, after which he was ordained as a missionary bishop to pastor the Christians already in Ireland and to evangelize those who had not yet heard the gospel.
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