Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
Legend proclaims that Ignatius was the fortunate child that Christ once placed before his disciples and said: " At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me."(cf. Mt 18: 1-5).
We know nothing about Ignatius’ childhood and adolescence. We meet him only as the third bishop of Antioch (after St. Peter the Apostle and St. Evodius). During the persecution of Emperor Trajan, Ignatius was imprisoned and sentenced to death. He was sent under escort of soldiers to Rome to be eaten by wild animals during the games that were just being organized.
When he became a bishop, he was very concerned about his community. Jesus' words: " “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! " (cf. Lk 12:49), became the main inspiration in his apostolic service. Through his evangelizing activity, St. Ignatius heroically fulfilled this desire of the Lord, even at the cost of risking martyrdom.
After a short and unfair trial, he was sentenced to death. The sentence was to be carried out in Rome, so the aged Shepherd made his last missionary journey from Antioch to Rome. Traveling on foot and on a ship under Roman escort, he reached other cities and ports, where he met his brothers in Christ waiting for him. Thirsty for martyrdom, he prevented them from turning to the emperor for pardon. He wrote seven letters to Christian communities. In one of them, he expressed his ardent desire: Please, refrain from premature kindness. Allow me to become food for wild animals that will bring me to God. I am God's wheat. I will be grated with the teeth of wild animals to become Christ's pure bread.
St. Ignatius of Antioch also called Ignatius Theophoros (Greek: “God Bearer”) - as he is presented in the scriptures - was martyred in an arena in Rome, probably in the Colosseum. The history of his heroic death was described, among others, by St. Irenaeus, Origen, Eusebius of Caesarea, St. Polycarp, St. John Chrysostom and St. Jerome. His death is believed to have taken place around 107 AD. The Christians reverently collected the remaining Martyr's bones in the arena and then transported them to Antioch. We know this from the speech of St. John Chrysostom, dedicated to Ignatius. Emperor Theodosius II (+ 450) ordered the relics of St. Ignatius to be placed in the temple of Fortuna, converted into a Christian Temple. The third transfer of the relics took place in AD 540, when Chosroes, King of Persia, invaded Palestine and Syria. The relics finally returned to Rome when the Saracens occupied Syria in the 7th century. St. Ignatius is mentioned in the Roman Canon.
The writings of Saint Ignatius of Antioch are an important proof of the primacy of the Bishop of Rome, universally recognized by the first Christian communities. He was also the first to use the expression "Catholic" to refer to the Church. In the theological tradition, martyrdom for Christ's sake is one of the most important reasons for the credibility of Christian Revelation. The blood of the martyrs was and still is - also today - the seed of new Christians and the ever-renewing courage in professing faith in Christ. Saint Ignatius of Antioch after Saint Paul could confess: " For to me life is Christ, and death is gain!” (cf. Phil 1:21)
Reflection on Today's Gospel – Lk 12:8-12
Let us dwell on the word that whoever blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. The Gospel of Matthew even says: "He will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." (cf. Mt 12:32). Like everything in the Gospel, this word of the Lord Jesus is also a word of love for us. Namely, the Lord Jesus warns us against drawing unwise conclusions from the truth that God's mercy is infinite.
Of course, God's mercy is infinite. That is why God was able to transform the fallen woman Magdalena with His mercy and fill her with the purest love. Likewise, when God's mercy fell on Saul, the hater and persecutor, he became a chosen vessel and a great Apostle. God did not spare His mercy even to the criminal who, crucified together with Jesus, heard the words: " Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise". (Lk 23:43)
However, the truth that God's mercy is infinite does not imply that we are allowed to ignore our sins and not worry about them. The Lord Jesus, teaching us about sins against the Holy Spirit, says: "Be careful, because there is no joke with sin. It is true that God's mercy is infinite but be careful that sin does not harden your heart, so that you never stop seeking God's mercy at all."
In the Encyclical on the Holy Spirit, “Dominum et vivificantem”, John Paul II explains that the sin against the Holy Spirit consists in the fact that man despises the salvation offered by God. The Holy Father points out that the loss of the sense of sin, so characteristic of our era, and this loss of sense of sin touches upon a sin against the Holy Spirit, and is a significant reason for departing from Christ and from faith in Christ.
At the same time, if we ever meet a man suffering from anguish and fear that he may have sinned against the Holy Spirit, let us not be afraid to convince him with all conviction and kindness that he is wrong. Even if my sin were the greatest, even if it was in something similar to a sin against the Holy Spirit, it is enough to acknowledge our sin, it is enough to entrust ourselves with trust in the Lord Jesus and His mercy to obtain forgiveness.
A man who is really close to sinning against the Holy Spirit, unfortunately, does not know it. He does not think at all that he needs God's mercy. He thinks that he does not need the salvation that comes from the Cross of Christ at all. Fortunately, even from such a situation, God's mercy can rescue a sinner. However, it is extremely important that we pray more for the conversion of sinners.
One more thought
" Everyone who acknowledges me before others..." (cf. Lk 12: 8) Crowds gathered around Jesus to hear His teaching. He first addressed his disciples, warning them against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, and then said: " I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more." (cf. Lk 12: 4). After a few other sentences from Christ, we read His words in today's Gospel: “Everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.” (cf. Lk 12: 8).
Jesus' statements take on a special meaning in our times, when so much is said about freedom, including religious freedom. However, there are even today countries where very severe penalties can be imposed for having a Bible, including imprisonment, death. The situation is different in the so-called democratic countries where the Christian religion and the Gospel have played a special role and in which everything what is Christian is easily unwanted. For example, it is not always possible to refer to the Decalogue that has formed consciences, ways of thinking and acting for so many centuries, and today - especially in the matter of defending life from conception until natural death - it is so easily rejected. In many situations, therefore, it takes courage to admit Jesus and his Gospel. Christians often feel intimidated, confused, not really knowing what to do.
In this context, the words of the Savior are very comforting, which today should be taken into account and thought through prayer: "When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” (cf. Lk 12: 11-12).
Today it takes special courage to admit Jesus in certain situations; because we are afraid not only that we may suffer some legal consequences, but also that we will be mocked, criticized, misunderstood ... The words of Jesus, however, are clear and demanding, but also ensure the special assistance of the Holy Spirit, ready to come to us at any moment with help.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george