Holy men are so few and far between that the bare fact of their existence fills us with joy. A holy man devotes himself to God with rigorous prayer and self-denial, and, by the grace of God, he becomes so holy that his spirit overflows and touches even casual passersby. Common people take pride in their holy men, feeling happy that someone from their number really achieved something remarkable. Somehow, saints lift entire nations with them. The average fellow may shy away from embracing the demands of the saint’s lifestyle, but he likes to celebrate the saint’s accomplishment as best he can: with parades, merry-making and colorful attire. See all the people who are today celebrating St. Patrick, bishop and confessor, even though it is a Friday in Lent.
Is it ironic that such worldly celebrations are held to honor such other-worldly men? Not if you remember that this world points to the next world. Our life on Earth is a pilgrimage to life with God in heaven. The self-denial that is characteristic of the Christian holy man points to the fulfilment of all desire by the Christian God at the heavenly banquet in the next world. Holy men fast in this world in order to feast in the next. St. Patrick’s days of fasting are now over. Instead, he feasts with greater intensity than any of us can imagine. That very fact fills us with joy, too, in our own way, and makes us want to celebrate. May God bless our celebrations here below with grace, prudence and gladness, and may we one day celebrate with the saints in heaven.