Greetings. Well, we made it to another weekend.
Today, once again we remember one of those early day saints that helped lay the foundation for of our Church. Ignatius was from Antioch, which is located in modern-day Turkey was martyred around the year 110.
We know a good deal about this early Bishop. As he was condemned to die because of his refusal to worship the Roman gods. Being that he was a Roman citizen, he had the right to present himself to the emperor and as he was being brought to Rome, he encountered a number of Christian communities and wrote letters to others. These letters, in part, have come down to us today. He is in fact the one that gave the Christian communities the name CATHOLIC. This is because as he made his way to Rome, he encountered such a number of Christian communities, he said that the were Catholic, meaning UNIVERSAL.
It was Ignatius’ great desire to be martyred for his faith. He leaves us this thought today. “I am God’s wheat, and I shall be ground by the teeth of beasts that I may become the pure bread of Christ.”
One must wonder how strong the faith of these men and women much have been. Yet they knew that this life is only the waking hours of a new day that has no sunset. These are the ones who stand before us calling us to follow. They truly are the Heros of our faith.
Being a martyr does not mean that we have to be fed to wild beasts. Sometimes living a true Christian life in our world today is enough of a martyrdom. Being thrown to wild beasts is a death that can be swift, and it is over. Living a full life of as Christian takes a lifetime.
Peace and All Good,
Fr. Vinnie, fcm and the
Bros and Srs of the
Franciscan House of Prayer.
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