Gospel in Art: Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick, Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Junction City, Ohio, © Christian Art

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 17 March 2024
John 12:20-33

Among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. These approached Philip, who came from Bethsaida in Galilee, and put this request to him, 'Sir, we should like to see Jesus.'

Philip went to tell Andrew, and Andrew and Philip together went to tell Jesus.

Jesus replied to them: 'Now the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you, most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life. If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too.

If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him. Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say: Father, save me from this hour? But it was for this very reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name!'

A voice came from heaven, 'I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.' People standing by, who heard this, said it was a clap of thunder; others said, 'It was an angel speaking to him.' Jesus answered, 'It was not for my sake that this voice came, but for yours. 'Now sentence is being passed on this world; now the prince of this world is to be overthrown. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all men to myself.'

By these words he indicated the kind of death he would die.

Reflection on the stained glass window

For today's reflection, I will just leave you with Saint Patrick's (385 - 461AD) opening lines in his Confessio:

'My name is Patrick. I am a sinner, a simple country person, and the least of all believers. I am looked down upon by many. My father was Calpornius. He was a deacon; his father was Potitus, a priest who lived at Bannavem Taburniae. His home was near there, and that is where I was taken prisoner. I was about sixteen at the time. At that time, I did not know the true God. I was taken into captivity in Ireland, along with thousands of others.

We deserved this, because we had gone away from God, and did not keep his commandments. We would not listen to our priests, who advised us about how we could be saved. The Lord brought his strong anger upon us, and scattered us among many nations even to the ends of the earth. It was among foreigners that it was seen how little I was. It was there that the Lord opened up my awareness of my lack of faith. Even though it came about late, I recognised my failings. So I turned with all my heart to the Lord my God, and he looked down on my lowliness and had mercy on my youthful ignorance'.

Saint Patrick's Confessio was written in the latter part of Saint Patrick's life, around the 5th century AD, likely between 450 and 460 AD. Primarily, it served as a justification of Patrick's mission in Ireland, particularly in the face of criticism and skepticism from his Christian contemporaries in Britain. Patrick recounts his call to mission in Ireland, his successes and challenges in converting the Irish, and his deep spiritual convictions. The Confessio details Patrick's background, including his capture by Irish pirates at the age of sixteen, his six years of enslavement in Ireland, and his eventual escape. Importantly, it describes his call to return to Ireland as a missionary after his return to Britain, highlighting his deep sense of religious duty.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day everyone!

Patrick

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-12-20-33-2024/
Competition: The Laudamus Award 2024 for Sacred Art - www.indcatholicnews.com/news/49310