Green Martyrdom, Day 48

The thing which I inwardly despise about Catholicism is the very same thing with compels me towards an emphatic admiration of the green martyrs, the monks who lived during the decades following St. Patrick’s life. Just as in the Islamic religion, I cringe at its rigidity and how structured and insistent it is concerning acts of religion. Yet, I find the dedication of religious observations by the Muslim followers to be quite beautiful.


The form of Christian doctrine I follow has virtually no requirements. I’ve been saved by grace, and it is a gift from God. There is a rather long list of things a “Christian” should not do, but the list of must-dos is virtually not existent. My salvation, after life, eternal place in heaven does not depend upon any act I perform. I am unrighteous (made righteous only through the blood of Christ) and incapable of working my way to heaven and thus there really isn’t anything I MUST do.

As far as Ireland was concerned before Patrick came upon the scene, since the beginning of time human sacrifice was a necessity in order to please the gods. And from what I gather the Irish gods were quite difficult to please. They were feisty beings, with large, bold, eccentric personalities to be admired and greatly feared. When Patrick presented “the good news” of Jesus to the Irish people they were relieved. He told them that God had provided the ultimate sacrifice in giving himself for them. Human sacrifice was no longer needed. They had been redeemed by God himself. At least hundreds of historians will admit that Ireland was possibly the only place (during the period of time I’m speaking of) ever evangelized without the spilling of “heathen” blood. Most of the Irish were really truly excited about “the good news.” (The druids not so much, understandably)

The Irish converts to this new wonderful religion were impressed by the freedom, by the life they’d been granted through this new God but they wanted desperately to give their lives in return for the gift He’d given them. The green martyrdom was what they were driven to. Countless numbers of people left their homes, their families, and the lives they’d always known to venture into remote areas and pray, transcribe books, live simple pious lives, and it seems they followed quite rigorous religious routines.

I am so fascinated by this act. It seems like it almost became the cool thing to do. That so many individuals gave their lives to this new faith, not by the shedding of blood, but by daily observance, daily penance; each day was devoted to and lived for God; the God who’d granted them the gift of life. I genuinely believe these guys and gals weren’t like the monks we see in movies. The green martyrs were on fire. They were still Irish to the core. But their lives had been transformed by Jesus, not by a religion even but by Christ himself. (The Catholic Church was SOOOO far disconnected from the Christian movement in Ireland that it took centuries to reconnect (if you can call it that))

One can be religious and observe the rules and regulations they’ve been told they must follow. Or one can be in love and observe the rules and regulations that their own heart is beseeching them to fulfill.

My son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.
1 Ch. 28:9