Wouldn’t it be so cool to have a legend made about you? Unfortunately, you might not get to really see it (kinda like Sainthood) but just to be able to make such a rich contribution that a legend remains; or more so a lasting legacy. I think that is awesome!
The University of Alabama’s football team’s motto is, “where legends are made” and indeed most people can recount the name Bear Bryant and today Nick Sabin (hard to admit these as an Auburn graduate-War Eagle. And yes, Auburn has the legend of War Eagle.) We love the kinds of legends that point to something great and seemingly bigger than life.
This month, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. It is easy getting caught up in all the festivities with leprechauns, four-leaf clovers, rainbows, and pots of gold. I recall getting pinched if we could not show we were wearing green. Certainly fun times (not the pinches). Rarely do we reflect on St. Patrick himself and why St. Patrick’s Day and our connection to Ireland are so symbolic. Because St. Patrick is historic and his legacy is tied to the 5th century, there are also legends surrounding his ministry and influence. St. Patrick is considered the patron Saint of Ireland because of the call to serve he heard.
His Confessions tell of being captured by pirates when he was a boy in Britain, taken to Ireland and remaining in captivity as a shepherd for six years. He escaped, made his way back to Britain and found a pathway into the ministry. Years later, he saw a vision calling him back to Ireland to preach and lead those influenced by Celtic paganism to Christianity. He answered the call and lived his life developing faith communities and setting up small monasteries and Catholic outreaches with women who became nuns.
There are several legends, but the two you might be most familiar with are the legend of the Shamrock and the ousting of snakes. Legend says that snakes chased St. Patrick, but, through an act of Divine intervention, he turned on them and was able to completely abolish them in the sea. It sounds like an Irish modification of Jesus casting demons into pigs, which then ran off a cliff. Here is a fun fact. Ireland is not conducive to snakes and scientists believe Ireland never had snakes. Icons and stained glass figures of St. Patrick show him with a large staff similar to a staff Moses and Aaron might have carried and the same type of staff that would have eaten the snakes of Pharaoh’s magicians. That seems to be part of the legend and connection.
Shamrocks and clovers are in abundance this time of year. In Celtic paganism, there were three types of gods the people worshiped. Irish folklore says Patrick used the abundant clover and its three petals to explain the Trinity and counter the Celtic pagan gods. It became his tool of the Gospel and sharing God’s relationships as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
What resonates most to me is his focus on bringing others to Jesus and serving the people. Certainly, his identification as a Saint (although never officially canonized) is a recognition of an island of people that loved him and that he served. I am not sure what legacies you are forming and how you will be remembered. What if today, you made a conscious and intentional commitment to point people to God and to love and serve those within your sphere of influence? Maybe it’s not really about leaving a legend, just leaving a lasting impression that might be known as legendary and being regarded as one who loves and serves others in the name of Jesus! That is the stuff legends are made of!
Many blessings to you on Saint Patrick’s Day and throughout the month of March!
And shameless plug, we would love to see some of you locals in the Auburn/Tuskegee area open up your palms and serve with us on March 27th (the Saturday before Palm Sunday). Register at arm-al.org/march27. If not local, what if you served in your own community, maybe had a few people help you, and then shared that with us? Use #palmsup21
Grace and peace – Lisa
(P.S. and my birthday is on St. Patricks’ Day-legendary :))
Want to make this a small group discussion and challenge? See the questions below for use as an individual reflection, family discussion, or small group discussion.
Scripture Reading Mark 5:1-20
Irish legend and folklore was that St. Patrick was being chased by snakes but then turned on them and was able to defeat them and herded them into the sea. A pretty fantastic story.
Turn your attention to this story, fantastic but unlike St. Patrick’s legend, true.
1) Based upon the man who was tormented, how do you think people regarded him? Fear, distrust, disgust, pity, compassion? How would we treat someone like that today?
2) Are there any modern-day similarities to this man and to someone in our own town, community or society in general?
3) What are the ways Jesus shows him compassion? What does Jesus ultimately do for him?
4) How much money do you think the pig farmers lost when their herd ran off the cliff and drowned? How eager were they to have Jesus around?
5) I too can feel some empathy for the pigs (and the economic loss to the farmers), but what does the say about Jesus’s concern and love for every human he has created? What lengths will he go to heal and restore?
6) If we are the hands and feet of Jesus, what does this say about the lengths we can go to for someone to be healed, comforted and restored? What might it cost us? Is it worth it?
Think of ways you and your family can reach out to those who are outcast, broken, and in deep struggle. Count the ways this may cost you.
Remember-extraordinary service in our Father’s eyes is what become legendary!
Blessings! Your friends at Alabama Rural Ministry (ARM)
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