Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch

Scripture Readings: Gal 5:18-25; Lk 11:42-46

The martyrs are heroes, and St. Ignatius, the third bishop of Antioch in Syria, is a giant among all martyrs.  In the year 107 he came face to face with Emperor Trajan who condemned Ignatius to be devoured by lions in the Colosseum.  The very name of today’s saint describes him well: Ignatius, the fiery one, who ignited Christians with his fervent love for Christ.

Never before or since has a martyr given such a powerful witness to Christ.  He writes, “I would rather die for Christ than rule the whole earth. … Christianity is greatest when it is hated by the world. … I don’t want merely to be called a Christian, but to actually be one.  Yes, if I prove to be one, then I can have the name.  Now I begin to be a disciple. Let fire and cross, wild beasts and tearing, let breaking and dislocation of bones; let cutting off of members and shattering of the whole body; let all the dreadful torments of the devil come upon me so long as I attain to Jesus Christ.”

His journey from Syria to Rome guarded by ten soldiers was more like a triumphant march than a walk to death.  He writes to Christians along the way, “I am dying willingly for God’s sake, if only you do not prevent it. I beg you, do not do me an untimely kindness. Allow me to be eaten by the beasts, which are my way of reaching to God. I am God’s wheat, and I am to be ground by the teeth of wild beasts, so that I may become the pure bread of Christ.”  Christian communities flocked to meet him everywhere, hailing and encouraging him on his way.  May the prayers and example of St. Ignatius also ignite us so that we will be on fire with love for Christ.