Tuesday – 4th Week of Lent – A – Optional Memorial of Saint Patrick, Bishop

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we continue our Lenten journey, we have the joy of reflecting on a life that teaches us about the essence of conversion, discipleship, and the grace, honour, and blessing of evangelizing and bringing Jesus to others. The feast we celebrate today is that of Saint Patrick of Ireland.

Saint Patrick was born in 385 in Roman Britain, in what is present-day Wales or western Britain. His father, Calpurnius, was a deacon and his grandfather was a priest. Patrick himself admits that as a youth he was not very devout. At about the age of sixteen he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland as a slave. He worked as a shepherd for about six years, and during this time he underwent a deep conversion, praying constantly in the fields and developing an intense relationship with God.

Saint Patrick eventually escaped slavery after receiving a dream telling him to flee. Returning home, he later had another vision known as the voice of the Irish, in which the people of Ireland called him back: “We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk again among us.” Patrick then studied for the priesthood and was later ordained a bishop. He returned to Ireland as a missionary, preaching the Gospel throughout the entire island. He founded churches, monasteries, and schools, baptized thousands upon thousands of people, and helped establish Christianity throughout Ireland.

Saint Patrick teaches us what we hear in the Psalm today: “Proclaim God’s marvellous deeds to all the nations” (Psalm 96:3). This invitation to go out into the world and proclaim God’s marvellous deeds is extended to all of us, for all of us have been given the work of evangelization.

But sometimes—and we know that this is very real even in our own families—many people are simply not interested. They are not interested in hearing about God and his goodness, much less in proclaiming that goodness to others. This is such a tragedy, because when we breathe our last breath and stand before God, we may regret how much more we could have done, how much more we could have embraced the good news that saints like Patrick brought to the world.

And sharing the Gospel is not merely a task. It is a joy. It is a joy to go out and speak to others about the goodness of God.

My brothers and sisters, even in the midst of sorrow, sadness, and the difficult days of our lives, we can still see the hand of God—like rays of sunshine bursting through dark clouds to warm our faces and remind us that the Lord is always with us.

Some of you may already know that my father recently passed away. Even in the midst of his illness we could see God’s goodness. He had pancreatic cancer, yet he never suffered and never once complained of pain. In the final days of his life he was no longer eating or drinking, and still there was not a single complaint.

He breathed his last breath and went to our Heavenly Father. We continue to pray for him, and I ask you, my dear listeners, to continue to pray for him as well.

My father was a simple man, but a man of faith—even if he had questions. He made this journey together with my mother, who supported him and shared with him the truths of the faith. They prayed together every evening. My mum would hold his hands, and together they would pray the Rosary before going to sleep. Even during his illness he would bow his head, raise his hands to hers, and they would pray together.