St Ignatius of Antioch

Though I would much rather be at a basketball or hockey game, I try to make all of the home football games of our high schools.  What I have always found curious though is the different levels of participation at such games.  Ever since I was in high school I go wearing the team jacket and sweatshirt.  I watch, follow the plays, and do get excited especially when "we" are winning.  But some around me are having conversations about their weekend plans; and the little kids are playing on the hill over the field.  Last Friday a lady behind was talking on her cellphone for the entire game.  The real participants though are those who suit up, put on their helmets, and are in the mix of running and throwing the football!

Perhaps this is why I like the martyrs.  They are fully completely involved in the activity of faith.  Their whole life is directed toward making the Word of God present, through the mission and ministry of Jesus, to the point of giving their lives for what they profess.  Ignatius who lived during the very infancy of the Church, is best known for his writings on the way to being killed, in Rome.  The letters spoke about his and our relationship with Christ, specifically within the Church - the Body of Christ Jesus.

Ignatius speaks about the Church being the "Place of sacrifice."  His invitation is for men and women to "partake of one Eucharist, for one is the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, and one is the cup to unite us to His Blood and one altar."  In this text Ignatius will go on to state how we are completed when we gather around the altar of sacrifice and participate with humble and contrite hearts.  More so this union is establish when we become empty for the Kingdom of God.  Ignatius will admonish us to take home with us that our entire faith life is one of imitating the sacrifice that we participate in.

St Ignatius' letters were addressed to these faith communities as a way to preach to all men and women of faith, the Word of God, in every time and place.  With those early apostles Ignatius wants us to realize that we also participate in a holy and profound vocation.  Again this is not simply about 'being nice' to one another.  Our daily living really has to be a living sacrifice.  This means of course we put on Christ, and make bold so as to live under his guidance and love.

One of my freshman students stated once that she felt Jesus would not want us to be uncomfortable or not do what we wanted to do.  I beg to differ since I recall Jesus equating discipleship with crucifixion.  In another letter St. Ignatius implores his listeners to "Pray for me that I may obtain my desire."  With Ignatius may our desire always be about doing 'Jesus things,' in season and out.