Many of us Irish forget that Patrick was not an Irishman. He was an Englishman who ended up in Ireland-twice. The first time he was there as a slave, tending sheep on the mountains of Antrim. The second time he came back voluntarily, to convert the very people who had earlier enslaved him.
It was a remarkable story of forgiveness, but also a story of cultural openness.
What is remarkable about him is that he became a hero among people who were very different from him-people who had a very different culture. And in today`s California, that is very relevant. Patrick would love the diversity of today.
And in that spirit, let`s say this prayer:
May people find you always a generous mind,
To people and culture of every kind.
To Blacks and Hispanics and Asians you meet,
People you don`t know, and don`t want to greet.
For Patrick was like that, he was open to others,
No matter what they did, he called them his brothers.
Even those who enslaved him, he forgave them all,
He forgave their injustice, `cause that was his call.
So Pat`s Day activity should indeed be a blast
For the Irish and all, both present and past.
So kick up your heels, have a fun celebration
To the God who made Patrick and all of creation!-AMEN.
