SAINT OF THE DAY -- Oct. 17 - St. Ignatius of Antioch
October 17
Saint Ignatius of Antioch
(50 - 107)
Patron Saint of Those Suffering with Diseases of the Throat
Legend says he was the infant that Jesus took into his arms in Mark 9:36-37.
He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever
welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and
whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."
- Mark 9:36-37
"I am the wheat of God. I must be ground by
the teeth of wild beasts to become the pure bread of Christ."
- Saint Ignatius of Antioch
Born in Syria, Ignatius converted to Christianity and eventually became
bishop of Antioch. In the year 107, Emperor Trajan visited Antioch and
forced the Christians there to choose between death and apostasy.
Ignatius would not deny Christ and thus was condemned to be put to
death in Rome.
Ignatius is well known for the seven letters he wrote
on the long journey from Antioch to Rome. Five of these letters are to
Churches in Asia Minor; they urge the Christians there to remain
faithful to God and to obey their superiors. He warns them against
heretical doctrines, providing them with the solid truths of the
Christian faith.
The sixth letter was to Polycarp, bishop of
Smyrna, who was later martyred for the faith. The final letter begs the
Christians in Rome not to try to stop his martyrdom. "The only thing I
ask of you is to allow me to offer the libation of my blood to God. I
am the wheat of the Lord; may I be ground by the teeth of the beasts to
become the immaculate bread of Christ."
Ignatius bravely met the lions in the Circus Maximus.
Comment:
Ignatius's
great concern was for the unity and order of the Church. Even greater
was his willingness to suffer martyrdom rather than deny his Lord Jesus
Christ. Not to his own suffering did Ignatius draw attention, but to
the love of God which strengthened him. He knew the price of commitment
and would not deny Christ, even to save his own life.
Quote:"I
greet you from Smyrna together with the Churches of God present here
with me. They comfort me in every way, both in body and in soul. My
chains, which I carry about on me for Jesus Christ, begging that I may
happily make my way to God, exhort you: persevere in your concord and
in your community prayers" (Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Church at Tralles).
Prayer:
Dear Holy Spirit, Saint Ignatius was taken to Rome
under military guard after he was condemned to die in the Roman amphitheater.
On the way, he wrote inspiring letters to Christian communities. Nothing would
stop him from carrying out his ministry of preaching the Gospel. I ask him to
pray for me to continually find opportunities to build up Your kingdom, even
in the midst of problems. Keep me from being blinded by discouragement, so
that I may see that there are always opportunities to share the Gospel with
others. When there are roadblocks in my path, show me the way around them.
Saint Ignatius, pray for me. Amen.
Source: American Catholic Organization