Brigid of Kildare – Curiosity & Kerygma

Brigid of Kildare – Curiosity & Kerygma February 1, 2021

Today the Church remembers the life and ministry of Brigid of Kildare.

She was an Irish convert to Christianity under the faith of Saint Patrick in the fifth century. One tradition surrounding her is the St. Brigid cross, which is pictured with her. My wife has a special devotion to Brigid and we have one of these crosses hung in our home. I love the story of its origins. Apparently, there was a chieftain who was nearing death and Brigid was summoned to speak to him and try to convert him to the faith. By the time she arrived the man was delirious as his body and mind approached death. Hope for conversion had seemed lost. Brigid did not try to argue this man to faith. Instead, she offered care and as she sat with the man caring for his needs she also began to form this cross from the rushes that were at hand. This action interested the man who began to ask questions. Brigid began to explain the cross and what it meant to her. As she spoke the man slowly returned to his right mind and as he listened he began to embrace the truth of the message. He desired to be baptized and converted to faith in Christ before his death. This story reminds me that evangelism need not be driven first by argument, but can be rooted in care and curiosity. The kerygma must always be rooted in love – both love of God and love of neighbor. If we love God with all our hearts and love our neighbors as ourselves people will often begin to wonder at that love and curiosity will open doors to sharing the good news of Jesus that would never be opened with a more direct and argumentative approach.


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