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Patrick: A Heart Afire, II

Album: 31: Days to Remember

Episode: 395

Lesson/Theme: Hero of the Faith

Bible Verse: n/a

Characters: Jared, Whit

Writer:

Sound Designer: Jonathan Crowe

Original Air Date: March 14, 1998

Last Air Date: July 28, 2009

Description:
Continued from part II... Patrick returns to his village and finds his family still alive but mourning his supposed death. He has another vision in which a man speaking on behalf of the Irish people entreats him to return to Ireland and share the gospel. In obedience to the vision, Patrick trains in England and Europe, where he meets with other church leaders. He and six other priests journey to Ireland, where they are met by a hostile group of Druids, including Lochru. Miraculously, the priests escape the Druids' ambush when the Druids are made to see deer instead of the Christians. Patrick and the other priests are allowed to meet King Laoghaire. He is so impressed that he allows Patrick to live in Ireland, where he converts many people to Christianity, which continues to draw the wrath of the Druids. The day for Easter celebration arrives, and it coincides with the Druids' pagan celebration to their gods, which involved the lighting of a huge fire on Tara Hill, the site of the castle. In order to show the power of Christ, Patrick defies the king's edict that no other fires should be lit. He is brought before the king to answer for his crime, and Lochru, with the help of Lucetmael, an evil high priestess, attempts to poison him. Aware of the plot, Patrick proclaims the gospel message boldly to the king and queen, which results in Lochru being banished from the kingdom. Whit explains to Jared that, through Patrick's influence, the people of Ireland--and most of the known world--were saved in some of the darkest hours of history.

Questions:
Patrick was re-united with his father after many years of being away. How do you think that felt for Patrick? But then, Patrick was told he needed to return to Ireland, the same land that once made him a slave. How would you have felt if you were Patrick? What do you think happened when Lochru tried to ambush Patrick on the road? Why did bother Patrick that the Druids celebrated their festival on Easter? What did he do about it? Do you have any special celebration that you practice on St. Patrick's Day?