Sunday happens to be St. Patrick’s Day. As much as I’m tempted to change the paraments to green for the day, they’ll stay purple. But there will be references to St. Patrick. In fact, if you wish to “go green,” feel free.

That phrase “go green” is commonly used to refer to taking care of the environment, but for those of us who follow the Church Year calendar with different colors for the different seasons, green in the color of life, specifically the life we have in Jesus. If He gives us life, that implies that we were dying – not just physically but spiritually. As Paul puts it in Ephesians 2:1, “You were dead in your transgressions and sins.” This is whyforgiveness of our sins is such a wondrous gift. Christ Jesus came to give us new life, the guilt of our sins washed away that we might, through the Holy Spirit, live a new life following Jesus.

And if we follow Jesus, we walk in the way of forgiveness, which is exactly what St. Patrick did. I would invite you put aside the green drink of your choice, leprechauns, and even shamrocks for a bit and do a little research on how Patrick was taken by force to Ireland where he was enslaved, how he escaped, but later in life had a true calling from the God whom he had come to love and worship for first loving him to return to Ireland whose population at that time really knew nothing about Jesus and the life He offers. Through his words and actions, Patrick wore the green of new life in Jesus which bore the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

So, in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, honor his memory by wearing the green of new life in Christ through the forgiveness of sins – not just on March 17, but every day. And, indeed, it’s our way of taking care of the environment by bringing the love of Jesus wherever we might be.