Last Friday was St Patrick's Day. It got me thinking how intirguing that a Catholic saint is the cause for a national day. Australia Day remembers first settlement by the English in 1788. That raises controversy, as what about the indigenous people, already in the land? Here, in Thailand, I know of no one particular national day. Rather, as I judge it, Thais celebrate their identity.
As far as I know, there is no controversy amongst the Irish with St Patrick's Day for it is a celebration of their identity. It is a cultural celebration that touches the hearts of all Irish and those who identify with them, through their heritage, religion or affiliation.
This past weekend, I saw how wide that affiliation stretches. I went to the St Patrick's Ball here in Buddhist Thailand to see over 550 people gather to sing, dance and celebrate the Irish. Whether Irish, Thai or other, many were sporting their green. Just an amazing event. I also learnt that there is an annual St Patrick's parade in Pattaya, held as a fundraiser for charity. If you knew Pattaya, you would appreciate how amazing that is.
What is it about Irish identity that attracts so many around the world? The Irish have their history of brokenness. They even know how to celebrate their brokenness with great songs, sung in gusto. Although much more than that, the Irish moved out and on, beyond their brokenness. So they re-established and recreated life wherever they went, knowing how to celebrate there and give life in new places. That is a great gift.
I believe that our brokenness does shape us, that it also offers us a way forward, but it never defines us. In our brokennes, we see who we are, we find the deeper meaning and purpose in life, we meet God. The full picture is that we move on from there, living life in richer and fuller ways, for there we have seen and met much more, being able to know what really matters and live it.
Erin go bragh!
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