St. Patrick

From the desk of Fr. Ignatius Waters, cp

Sunday, 17th March 2019

There’s a word in Greek that we don’t have in English and it’s been described as a word with a caress in it! The word is ‘prautes’ and it’s used all the time in the Gospels to describe Jesus. So, it’s worth getting to know it. It describes someone with a peaceful heart, someone gentle, someone who radiates calmness and deep joy. Jesus himself said this was what he would like us to learn from him: “Learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls.”

St. Peter describes the same thing: “Do not dress up for show: doing up your hair, wearing gold bracelets and fine clothes; all this should be inside, in a person’s heart, imperishable, the ornament of a sweet and gentle disposition – this is what is precious in the sight of God. (1 Pet.3:3-4)

I feel the word ‘prautes’ describes St. Patrick too. He was gentle and humble and ordinary, surprised to find himself in such an important role. Yet people like this are also very strong because they depend completely on God – not on their own strength or cleverness. This is how he described himself: “I am Patrick, a sinner, most unlearned, the least of all the faithful, and utterly despised by many.” He was ashamed of what he called his poor education and his poor Latin. Listen again to his own words: “I had it in mind to write but I hesitated until now. In my case what I had to say had to be translated into a tongue foreign to me. I am unable to speak in the way my spirit and mind long to do, so that the sense of my words expresses what I feel.”

I’m sure he did his greatest work by the kind of person he was, by his gentleness and respect for people so that the words he spoke weren’t all that important. Like our Charles who never really mastered English! But it didn’t matter because the words he spoke came from his heart. His faith and his love were genuine and obvious for all to see! 

So, being like St. Patrick is being open and honest, not ashamed to let people know you believe and hope, and letting people see you pray and trust in God. Neighbours or those you work with, even those you live with, may sneer and say, “You’re not still into all that stuff!” There’s no need to say much in response.

        Just show by the way you live that all that stuff really matters!