Let who will scoff and revile - I will not remain silent;

Saint Patrick, the apostle of Ireland, spoke with fiery resolve when he declared: “Let who will scoff and revile—I will not remain silent; neither will I conceal the signs and wonders which have been shown to me by the Lord, who knew all things even before the time of this world, many years before, just as they happened.” These words are not merely the utterance of a saint—they are the cry of one who has been transformed by divine vision, the vow of a man who will not retreat from truth though the world mock and despise him. In them we hear both defiance and devotion: defiance against the voices of scorn, and devotion to the eternal Lord who reveals mysteries that surpass the ages.

The ancients taught that the messenger of truth must always endure ridicule. Prophets were stoned, philosophers exiled, reformers burned or chained. Yet Saint Patrick aligns himself with this great line of voices, declaring that though men may scoff and revile, he will not be silenced. His strength comes not from himself, but from the knowledge that he has seen the signs and wonders of God. This vision places him above fear, above shame, above the arrows of mockery. He becomes like a warrior clothed in faith, unshaken by the laughter of men because he walks in the eternal counsel of heaven.

His words also speak of revelation—truth revealed not by human reason but by divine foresight. “The Lord, who knew all things even before the time of this world,” is a reminder that God’s wisdom stretches beyond the confines of time, beyond the span of kings and empires. What Patrick proclaims is not his invention, but the unfolding of eternal design. Thus, in bearing witness, he joins himself to the will of God Himself, becoming not merely a man, but a vessel of truth carried through the ages.

History confirms the courage behind these words. Saint Patrick, once a slave in Ireland, returned to the very land of his captivity to proclaim the faith of Christ. He faced hostility, suspicion, and violence, yet he persevered, converting a nation through patience, miracle, and steadfast preaching. Like the prophets before him, he endured revilement for the sake of truth. Yet because he refused to be silent, his legacy reshaped an entire people, bringing light where there was darkness, and weaving Ireland into the greater story of Christendom.

The deeper meaning here is one of boldness. Patrick shows us that truth is not meant to be hidden, even when it invites ridicule. Silence in the face of truth is cowardice, but speech in the face of scorn is courage. To speak what has been revealed to you—to testify to what you know in the marrow of your soul—is to honor both God and yourself. Though men may laugh today, the eternal witness of heaven endures beyond the laughter of mortals.

And yet, Patrick’s words also teach humility. He does not boast of his own insight, but of the revelations of the Lord. He knows himself as a servant, not the source. This humility makes his boldness pure. For arrogance speaks to glorify the self, but true testimony glorifies God. In this, Patrick reminds us that the courage to proclaim truth is not born of pride but of obedience, not of desire for glory but of reverence for what is eternal.

The lesson for us is clear: do not remain silent when you are given truth, even if others mock or revile you. Speak it with courage, but also with humility, giving glory not to yourself but to the eternal source of wisdom. Let your words be rooted in what is eternal, not in what is passing. And remember, as Saint Patrick teaches, that God’s knowledge and vision stand beyond the boundaries of time. What is revealed in you is part of a greater story, one that began before the world was formed.

Therefore, O seeker of truth, carry Patrick’s words in your heart. When you face scorn for your convictions, do not bow to silence. Testify to the signs and wonders that have been shown to you, live boldly in the knowledge of the eternal, and walk unashamed in the path of truth. For the laughter of men fades like grass, but the word of God endures forever. In this way, you too may join the chorus of those who bore witness through fire, exile, and scorn, and whose voices still ring like thunder across the centuries.