The Memorial of St Ignatius of Antioch

Eph. 1:15-23, Lk. 12:8-12. The more we contemplate on God, the more we realise the awesomeness of God. In today's first reading, Paul expresses his appreciation for the faithfulness of the Ephesians in their great awareness that comes from contemplating the role of Jesus in the divine plan of salvation. He prays that God will continue to bless them with even greater knowledge. Today, we are challenged to grow in our knowledge and understanding of the one whose power is limitless. Christ is “the Alpha and the Omega,” the one “who is and who was, and is, and who is to come” (Rev. 1:8). In today's Gospel, Jesus calls His disciples to be brave in bearing witness to Him, in making Him known even at risk to their safety. Those who acknowledge their relationship with Jesus will be recognised in Heaven. 

Jesus also speaks about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the disciples. Those who refuse the gifts of the Holy Spirit, blaspheme and continue to remain in a position contrary to the working of the Holy Spirit commit an unforgivable sin. Yet, those who allow the Spirit to work in their lives will be given the words to speak when the time comes to proclaim their allegiance to the Lord Jesus. St Ignatius of Antioch whose memorial we celebrate allowed the Holy Spirit to direct his affair as he worked with courage to witness to the risen Christ. He was the second bishop of Antioch after Evodius. He was arrested, condemned to death and transported to Rome to be thrown to the wild beasts in the arena. In one of his letters he describes the soldiers who were escorting him as being like “ten leopards, who when they are kindly treated only behave worse.” In the course of his journey he wrote seven letters to various Churches, in which he dealt wisely and deeply with Christ, the organisation of the Church and the Christian life.

May the Lord send us His Spirit so that we would continue to dispose ourselves to the grace and mercy of God! Amen!! Be safe and happy weekend!!!