There is a story told among the priests of Cleveland, that that in his course on the early church fathers, Fr. Jurgens would become so passionate and so emotional during the lecture on today’s saint, the bishop and martyr Saint Polycarp, that when he got to the story of Polycarp’s martyrdom, Fr. Jurgens would begin to weep, and he would then cancel class for the rest of the day. Needless to say the seminarians were both edified and grateful for Fr. Jurgens pious devotion to Polycarp.
Polycarp was born sometime between the years 75 and 82. Saints Peter and Paul had already been martyred in 67, but Polycarp was able to meet and become the disciple of one of the Apostles, Saint John the Evangelist. So, you can imagine how the early church revered him, being a sort of connection to the last of the twelve apostles.
Polycarp was entrusted with the church at Smyrna and was consecrated its bishop. He wrote many letters and formed many holy disciples. During his episcopate, at the age of 86, a violent persecution broke out in Smyrna against the Christians. A young boy betrayed the bishop’s location, and Polycarp was arrested. He was led directly to the roman judge, who ordered him make sacrifice to a pagan God and commit blasphemy. Some of his Christian friends had urged him to make the sacrifice in order to save his life.
He responded, “for 86 years I have served Jesus Christ, and he has never abandoned me. How could I curse my blessed king and savior.” Polycarp was sentenced to be burned alive.
While tied to the stake, he prayed, “Almighty God, I give you praise, for you have counted me worthy to be among your martyrs, who drink the chalice of Christ’s sufferings.”
The ancient opening prayer for today’s Mass uses words spoken by Polycarp as he died for his Lord, petitioning God that we too may share with St. Polycarp in the chalice of Christ.
To drink from the chalice of Christ means to share in Christ’s suffering for the sake of the salvation of souls and the Father’s glory.
"Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” our Lord asked James and John. It is the cup which fills us with the life of God, it is the cup which gives us strength to do the will of God, it is the cup which drunk from leads to eternal life, but it is the cup which entails suffering for the sake of the kingdom, which means not running away and abandoning the faith when it becomes difficult, not succumbing to the temptations of the world.
May St. Polycarp’s example and prayers help us drink deeply of the chalice of Christ—the chalice of faithfulness and everlasting salvation for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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The martyrs freely embraced death in bearing witness for the faith, give us the true freedom of the Spirit. We pray to the Lord.
The martyrs professed their faith by shedding their blood, give us a faith that is constant and pure. We pray to the Lord.
The martyrs followed in the footstep of Christ by carrying the cross, help us to endure courageously the misfortunes of life. We pray to the Lord.
The martyrs washed their garments in the blood of the Lamb, help us to avoid the weaknesses of the flesh and worldly allurements. We pray to the Lord.
May the faithful departed, all of the poor souls in purgatory, the deceased members of our family, friends, and parish, for Fr. William Jurgens and the deceased priests of the diocese of Cleveland, and all those who have fought and died for our freedom, come to share the joys of the eternal kingdom. We pray to the Lord.
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