Fr Paddy Byrne: St Patrick turned to God as a true friend

AS I WRITE this article, taoiseach Micheál Martin is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House as part of the traditional St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

This meeting continues a long-standing tradition where the Irish taoisigh visits the president to mark the deep cultural and economic ties between Ireland and the United States.

Key topics anticipated for discussion include US tariffs, which Martin plans to address by highlighting their potential damage to Ireland’s small, open economy, as well as the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

The taoiseach has emphasised a respectful approach, intending to present Ireland’s perspective while acknowledging Trump’s views, particularly on achieving peace in Ukraine and consolidating a ceasefire in Gaza. He has also indicated he would "absolutely" invite Trump to visit Ireland, a customary gesture extended to US presidents.

This meeting occurs against a backdrop of global tensions, including Trump’s threats of 25% tariffs on EU goods and his recent suspension of military aid to Ukraine, posing diplomatic challenges for Martin. The taoiseach has stressed the importance of protecting Irish economic interests and maintaining the strong, two-way relationship with the US, especially given Ireland’s significant trade ties and investments there. I pray that this important diplomatic mission goes well for Ireland.

St Patrick's feast day is now a global event. The Irish diaspora have contributed significantly to the four corners of the world. In this regard, civic buildings and national monuments around the globe will go green to celebrate our national holiday.

On St Patrick’s Day we celebrate our Irishness and our faith. For so long in our history they have been intertwined, perhaps at times identified. As a result, we may have been tempted to take our faith for granted. Admittedly, we did not have to fight or die for it as our ancestors did. They were challenged by their faith and responded generously to that challenge.

Today, Irish people all over the world and we at home rejoice in the new opportunities which are available in our country – for education, employment and a good quality of life. Indeed, many of our exiles will say that they regret the fact that these opportunities were not available to them before they emigrated. However, the high numbers of well-educated young people emigrating because of the lack of affordable housing is a cause of deep concern.

In the past, the challenge to our faith came from outside of ourselves – from Penal Laws and from oppressive regimes. Today, the challenge comes from within ourselves. Faith is not something that has myths of compartmentalisation; rather, it impinges on all areas of human living. Today, there is probably no area of life in which faith is not being challenged and in which it does not have a significant contribution to make.

At times we misinterpret and misunderstand the nature of faith. Great faith is not a faith that walks in the light and knows no darkness. Real faith perseveres in spite of God’s seeming silence.

When one considers the obstacles with which Patrick contended – taken captive from his own people and his home, slavery on Slieve Mish, eventual escape and yet prepared to return as a missionary and preach Christ’s Gospel to those who had held him captive.

The wholeheartedness and singlemindedness of Patrick are clear pointers to his faith. Faith must have been a struggle for him, as it is for you and me. Yet he recognised his real helplessness and turned to God as a helper and a true friend.

Almost unnoticed, God can be excluded and pushed out to the margins of life in a busy, competitive world. With so many voices clambering for our attention, we have to make an effort to keep the lines of communication open with God in prayer and in our participation at Mass and the sacraments.

In a confused and complex culture, we need a compass to provide us with a sense of direction. Enabling us to cope with and respond to the various challenges which meet us every day.

I am convinced that faith, properly understood and genuinely lived, can provide us with such a compass. Faith can enable us to see beneath and beyond the situations in which we find ourselves.

Just as in Patrick’s life, faith made it possible for God to enter, so in our lives faith makes it possible for God to become involved in our busy world and our hectic activity.

With St Patrick’s Day over for another year, I pray that the faith he brought to our shores will sustain all of us in these challenging times.