A St. Patrick’s Day special.
J. Philip Newell, in his book Christ of the Celts, shares a wonderful story about the saint of Ireland on the day of judgement. Patrick is summoned to the eternal but he declines saying, “I will not come unless all my people may come with me.” The summons comes a second time and again he says, “I will not come unless my people may come with me.” The third time, God relents and says to tell Patrick that his people may come with him but there is one thing that he must do. The legend doesn’t say what the one thing is but there is no doubt that Patrick will do it.
Newell also writes of a time from his childhood when he awoke in the middle of the night and thought his house was empty. He became convinced that the rapture had occurred and that he had been left behind. Then it occurred to him that his parents would not have left him. They would have been like Patrick and declined the invitation if they had to forsake their son.
I must confess that being able to decline had never occurred to me. Well, that’s not entirely true. People decline all the time and I agree with C.S. Lewis who said that no one will go to heaven that doesn’t want to. (Actually, that isn’t exactly the way he said it. C.S. Lewis would never dangle a participle.) I just never considered being able to make sure my loved ones were on the train to glory before getting my ticket punched.
But, here’s the deal. I don’t think I am going to need to. (Again, with the dangling. I bet C. S. Lewis is wishing his name wasn’t even associated with this post.) I won’t need to because the phrase, “I will not leave or forsake you” is taken by the one who endured the cross in order to prove that he has no intention of leaving anyone behind. (John 15:15)
Christ is the source of our love. The love we feel for our friends and family comes from Christ and it is a sign that Christ is in us. It was Christ in Patrick, telling God that he wants everyone to come. It is Christ in us telling God that we want our loved ones to come.
God said yes.
Ponder that while you sip a green beer.