I am Patrick, yes a sinner and indeed untaught; yet I am established
here in Ireland where I profess myself bishop. I am certain in my heart
that "all that I am," I have received from God. So I live among
barbarous tribes, a stranger and exile for the love of God. He himself
testifies that this is so. I never would have wanted these harsh words
to spill from my mouth; I am not in the habit of speaking so sharply.
Yet now I am driven by the zeal of God, Christ's truth has aroused me. I
speak out too for love of my neighbors who are my only sons; for them I
gave up my home country, my parents and even pushing my own life to the
brink of death. If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so
as to teach these peoples; even though some of them still look down on
me. 1 Corinthians 15:10; Philippians 2:30
Could I have come
to Ireland without thought of God, merely in my own interest? Who was
it made me come? For here "I am a prisoner of the Spirit" so that I may
not see any of my family. Can it be out of the kindness of my heart that
I carry out such a labor of mercy on a people who once captured me when
they wrecked my father's house and carried off his servants? For by
descent I was a freeman, born of a decurion father; yet I have sold this
nobility of mine. I am not ashamed, nor do I regret that it might have
meant some advantage to others. In short, I am a slave in Christ to this
faraway people for the indescribable glory of "everlasting life which
is in Jesus Christ our Lord." Acts 20:22; Romans 6:23
Excerpt from "A Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus"
