Thursday, October 17, 2019 – St. Ignatius of Antioch Rom 3:21-30; Lk 11:47-54 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jesus said, “Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute.’” Lk 11:49
Ignatius, a pupil of St. John, Apostle, was an ardent bishop in Antioch. During the persecution of Christians, he refused to sacrifice to the emperor's gods as well as renounce faith in Jesus Christ. He was sentenced to be torn by wild animals and was brought to Rome in handcuffs. It was a tragedy for many, but for Ignatius, it was a privilege. Thus, he could testify of Jesus by his bonds like the Apostle Paul. On his way to Rome, he gave prophetic testimony to the local communities and wrote several encouraging letters. In his bloody martyrdom, he saw the opportunity to be "God's wheat ground in the teeth of wild beasts to become pure Christ's bread and a sacrificial gift for God." He is rightfully named Theoforos (bearing God). He speaks of the vocation of each of us.
Are you aware of your prophetic ministry resulting from your baptismal commitments? What does it mean to you to be a prophet in today's world, in your family, school, work, etc.?
“He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire.” St. Ignatius of Antioch
Words of Pope Francis