Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch

Today's Mass Readings

Today is the Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch who was martyred by the Romans in the early part of the second century. The tradition concerning St. Ignatius is that he was a disciple of the Apostle St. John the Evangelist. St. Ignatius wrote seven letters that have survived, and in them he focuses on a number of important theological themes, including the centrality of the Eucharist in the life of Christians, the role of Christian bishops, and the importance of baptism. Today's Gospel Reading from St. Luke's Gospel includes Jesus' comment that we should not fear those who kill the body but can do nothing further. There are examples in history where state rulers who wanted to increase their control of their populations would try to extinguish any belief in the afterlife. This was so that there would be no fear greater than the fear of physical death, which the state ruler had the power to control. Jesus' point in today's Gospel reading is that God is the one who has the true power over life and death. No human authority can place someone else in hell or bring anyone to heaven. Only God can do that.

St. Ignatius of Antioch took Jesus' words to heart. He fearlessly proclaimed the gospel message, even when it meant he had to be led off to Rome to be executed by the Roman Empire. He knew that all Rome could do was kill his physical body. He knew that he was more precious to God than many sparrows.

We too are more precious to God than many sparrows. Jesus uses the example of sparrows in his discussion in today's reading, because His audience knew that sparrows were inexpensive and abundant. And yet God notices all of them, despite how insignificant and common they are. God's concern for us far outshadows His concern for sparrows.

When we go about our daily tasks today, let's try to remember how precious we are in God's eyes. Even little creatures we might consider insignificant are special in God's eyes. How much more special are we as God's own children? It is in this fact that we have hope, even when we face physical death. Knowing that God is all powerful is not, by itself, a necessary comfort. What we can find comfort and hope in, however, is that not only is God all powerful, but God also cares for us; we are God's children.

Jeff Morrow