Poetry of the Celtic Revival (3)
The Lord chose him so that he might teach the barbarian
nations, so that he might fish with nets of doctrine;
so that he might draw believers out of the world to grace,
and they might follow the Lord to a heavenly seat.
– Sechnall, Audite Omnes Amantes
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
– 1 Corinthians 11.1
Whom to follow
Sechnall was an astute observer of Patrick and his ministry. He noted Patrick’s faithfulness in keeping the commandments of the Lord. He commented on his good works as “bright deeds” which shone among the people of Ireland. The people sought to follow Patrick’s “holy miraculous example”, but he taught them not to follow him. By his faithful teaching and encouragement, he directed them “magnify the Father in heaven.”
Patrick sought such people eagerly, but he did not water down his message to them or ply them with mere sentiment. He fished for disciples “with nets of doctrine”, that is, with sound teaching and an uncompromised call to moral obedience:
He sells the precious talents of the Gospel of Christ
and demands them back with interest, from the pagans of Ireland.
That is, he offered the free gift of salvation, but a salvation which, if it was truly heard and faithfully received, would issue in good works and set those who believed on the path of following Jesus.
This was Patrick’s goal. He gave them a vision of Jesus, ruling in glory and calling believers to Himself, and he made seeing Jesus and pursuing Him the focus of his ministry. Sechnall declared that Patrick was,
A faithful minister of God and a splendid messenger,
he gave to the good the example and form of an apostle,
preaching to the people of God with both words and deeds
so that he might with a good act inspire the one whom his words did not move.
Because of Patrick, Jesus had multitudes of followers.
Taking off the pressure
While all believers are called to lead others by example and instruction, none of us is called to make followers of anyone other than Jesus. Beware of pastors, teachers, theologians, writers, and others whose primary aim is to pad the ranks of their devoted followers, or even merely to increase the membership of “their” church. Guard against that temptation in yourself.
Point to Jesus, just as God the Father does in Psalm 2. We may, like Paul, encourage others to be good learners as we seek to be good learners, to pray and study the Scripture as we do, and to follow in the example of good works and ministry that we seek to present; but we do none of this to make followers of ourselves. God has made us fishers of men so that men might be taken up in the net of God’s Kingdom and presented to Jesus. “Follow Jesus!” must be our cry and our reason for all that we are and do.
Patrick’s practice became an example for generations of Irish pastors, abbots, missionaries, and believers. His determination to make disciples of Jesus ensured that those he taught actually connected with Jesus, communed and had fellowship with Him, strove to be more like Him day by day, and called others to join them in following Him.
We can learn from Patrick’s example, reported in a poem, to keep our focus on following Jesus.
For Reflection
1. How do people typically think about St. Patrick? What are they missing?
2. How might Patrick’s example shape your own approach to disciple-making?
Psalm 84.1-4
Holy Manna: Brethren, We Have Met To Worship
LORD of hosts, how sweet Your dwelling; how my soul longs for Your courts!
Let my soul with joy keep telling of Your grace forevermore.
Like a bird upon the altar, let my life to You belong.
Blessed are they who never falter as they praise Your grace with song!
T. M. Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: Our ReVision series on “The Church” raises questions all church leaders must answer. Our Read Moore podcast continues our series of readings from our book, The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart. The focus of our Scriptorium daily study is on “Matthew: The Coming of the Kingdom.” Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
