+ The third bishop of Antioch in Syria, Ignatius suffered martyrdom in the Roman Amphitheater
around 107.
As he traveled under armed
guard from Antioch to Rome, he wrote to the Christian brethren, unambiguously
proclaiming the apostolic Faith.
For Ignatius, Christ is “my
God” and “truly born of the Virgin.” The Eucharist is “the flesh of Christ” and
the “medicine of immortality.”
Unity is paramount: “as many
as are of God and of Jesus Christ are also with the bishop.”
Of Ignatius’ seven letters,
Blessed John Henry Newman declared, “It is hardly too much to say that almost
the whole system of Catholic doctrine may be discovered at least in outline…in
the course of them.”
The first reading today tells
us the God brought us to life with Christ, and seated us with him in the
heavens. This is already a foregone conclusion, so long as we remain steadfast,
bearing our specifically given God sent burdens and never lose hope of eternal
glory and our place in it.
There is a spirit at work in
the disobedient – but an o so more powerful Spirit at work in the obedient –
whether it is to the bishop as members of a parish or diocese – or to
legitimate authority figures set in place by God above us – to rule and guide
us in becoming more fully not only members of society, but simultaneously
children of God.
The gospel passage reminds us
point blank that storing up earthly treasure will end in doom for this storer,
but those who store up their treasure in heaven – the stockpiling of good deeds
done for love of God and his people, our brothers and sisters – then barns in
heaven will not be big enough to contain the fruits of the generosity of our
hearts.
Human life is not about us –
it is about giving glory to God, being instruments of peace on earth – by our
example of placing our priorities correctly – above the clouds in the beatific
life of God – that awaits us eagerly.
St. Ignatius of Antioch who
got and proclaimed this message – pray for us!
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