St. Patrick's Day, 2022

 

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly. (Psalm 52:8-9 ESV).

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I haven’t often written a devotional specifically centered around this day, though this is my “patron saint” and namesake. Yes, my middle name is Patrick. Just like my first name is much more Irish than Sicilian it is never-the-less so. There’s a long story attached to this fact that I really don’t want to spend the time or space recounting today. Suffice it to say, the name doesn’t match my genetic heritage at all. It is a wonderful holiday though. Combined with the truth from the Davidic psalm in our reading, we have a wonderful reminder of the goodness and mercy of God.

 

Perhaps a little background would be instructive. St. Patrick was born in Britain in the 4^th century AD.  It is believed that as a young man, Patrick was kidnapped and taken into slavery to Ireland.  He claimed that his escape from Ireland and his eventual return to Britain was based upon God’s instructions, given to him in a dream.  After his return to Britain, he began to study for the Catholic priesthood. Later in life, as a Catholic bishop, Patrick said that he was called to return to Ireland to win over the Irish who held a belief in many Gods.  It is believed that he used the shamrock to illustrate the doctrine of the trinity. Although originally being associated with the color blue, gradually green became the representative color for St. Patrick’s Day.  It is believed the color green has been associated with the celebration due to the color of the shamrock and the lush green vegetation found in Ireland.

 

The symbolic use of the color green is not limited to the St. Patrick’s Day holiday.  In the Bible the color green is often associated with a state of blessing from God. Our reading reminds us of this truth. Here David is recognizing the blessed conditions of his life.  He describes being blessed greatly as being “like a green olive tree” (v. 8). “Green” is symbolically describing his flourishing life.  As a green tree is filled with health and life; so too, David was thriving having both his physical and, especially, his spiritual needs supplied by His God. He then recounts his many blessings from God and looks ahead in faith.  He realizes that the Lord can be relied upon for his future physical and his spiritual needs, just as his past needs were met. It is merely another way of reminding us our good fortune has nothing to do with “luck”; it is all a result of the blessing of our Heavenly Father. As you wear your green today, remember that truth!