Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr
Have you ever wondered to yourself? Why is it that I know what I should do, but often fail to do it? When we do this we are like the Pharisees in today’s gospel. Because they know the law and what is required, and do just that, the minimum. This minimalist Christian approach to the outsider comes off as lukewarm. If people looked into the windows of that soul they might see that the lights are on, but no one is home.
Imagine a similar person who delights in the law of the Lord. This person would not only pray constantly, but their lives would bear fruit. If you looked inside such a person you would find a fire burning brightly and in them a passion to walk faithfully and joyfully in the ways of the Lord.
For those who live as faithful passionate Christians, Paul’s letter to the Galatians promises that they will have their selfish passions and desires crucified with Christ. These believers do not follow the counsel of the wicked. They pay attention to the judgment and love of God.
When people look at us which Christian do I see? When we look at ourselves, which Christian do we see? What is it that we could change in our own life so that we might be more guided by the Spirit? What choice would we make if we were asked to choose between rejecting our faith or death?
In today’s memorial we remember Ignatius of Antioch, who was the bishop when Trajan the Roman Emperor came to visit. There the Emperor gave the people a choice between either renouncing their faith and death. For Ignatius, the choice was clear, and so as a prisoner, he was taken to Rome to face the lions in Circus Maximus. One of his famous letters that he wrote while taking his final earthly journey was to the believers in Rome. In this letter, Ignatius asked the believers to not impede his martyrdom. "The only thing I ask of you is to allow me to offer the libation of my blood to God. I am the wheat of the Lord; may I be ground by the teeth of the beasts to become the immaculate bread of Christ."
Loving God, you are kind and merciful. Help us to follow You who is our light so that we do not walk in the way of sinners. Crucify in us all that prevents us from following the Spirit, so that we too will be bread for our broken world. Amen
-Michael Montgomery