October 17 2017 - St. Ignatius of Antioch - A link to Jesus and the Apostles

In seminary one year, I remember hearing about how the early Church had such a tremendous esteem for Ignatius, that his letters would often be read allowed during the Mass alongside the Scriptures. So, I decided to read through his letters myself, and they are a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a very holy and courageous bishop. Like Paul, Ignatius wrote letters to Christian communities like the Ephesians and Romans. And as Paul wrote to Timothy, who had become Bishop of Ephesus, Ignatius wrote to St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. Ignatius even seemed to model his writings after Paul, Peter, and John, and quoted from their works freely.

In the preface to the little book of letters I found, one legend claimed that when Jesus called forward the little child to bless him in the Gospels, Ignatius was that little child. Whether that is true or not, only heaven knows, but Ignatius an important link in the chain of Church history going back to Jesus and the Apostles.

Tradition identifies Ignatius as a disciple of John the Apostle, and later in life, Ignatius was named Bishop of Antioch, where the Apostle Peter had served as Bishop before journeying to Rome. There in Antioch, he is arrested and marched to Rome, where he, like Peter and Paul would face his martyrdom. And it is in his famous Letter to the Romans, which is always read on his feast day in the Office of Readings, that he pleads with the Church not to rescue him, but that he gladly goes to his martyrdom. He says, “Let me be food for the wild beasts, for they are my way to God. I am God’s wheat and shall be ground by their teeth so that I may become Christ’s pure bread.”

If you are so inclined I encourage you to read his letters. For in them we find eloquent teachings on the Eucharist, the primacy of the Bishop of Rome, the role of bishops, general in their local church, and the priesthood. In one of my favorite images, Ignatius urges the early church to strive for unity of faith, and explains how priests should be tuned to their bishops like strings to a harp.

His love for the Church and love for Christ shines through his letters. It is that love that no doubt gave him the fortitude to witness to the True Faith with his blood. May our love for Christ and His Bride the Church ever increase, and spurn us on in our Christian witness, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For Pope Francis, Bishop Perez, and all ordained ministers, that their ministry may unify the Church with the unity Our Lord prayed for at the Last Supper.

That world leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe in him, and seek the peace and justice that only he can bring.

That our young people may take seriously the missionary call of Christ, that they will turn away from the evils of our culture to spread the good news of Christ’s eternal kingdom.

For all whose lives are marked by suffering, may they come to know the healing and peace of Christ.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.