Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
The Father's Plan of Salvation
Click here for today's readings on the USCCB website.
Reading: Ephesians 1:1-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4, 5-6
Alleluia: John 14:6
Gospel: Luke 11:47-54
Today’s Readings Audio:
Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
St. Ignatius was born around 50 AD in Syria and he was in the year 107 in Rome in the Circus Maximus when he was fed to the lions. He became the second bishop of Antioch around 67 AD, and it is reported that he was appointed by St. Peter. He was a friend of Polycarp, and both were believed to be disciples of St. John.1
St.t Ignatius refused to become an apostate when Emperor Trajan came to Antioch therefore, he was condemned to be executed in Rome. While on his way to Rome to be executed, he wrote a series of letters to the church. The first five letters encouraged the churches in Asia Minor (now Turkey) to keep the faith. The sixth letter was to his friend Polycarp in Smyrna. The last letter was to the Christians in Rome encouraging them not to interfere with his martyrdom.2
Greeting, The Father’s Plan of Salvation, and Fulfillment through Christ (Ephesians 1:1-10)
In today’s reading, we kick off St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. He lays out God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. And he lets us know that Christ is the fulfillment of God’s plan.
God has chosen to give us the means of salvation through Jesus Christ his Son. Through the original sin that was brought in by our first parents, Adam and Eve, Christ brings us the means by which we can be rejoined to God. We need to take that opportunity that he gave us and use it to our full advantage. But we can only take advantage of his salvation if we receive Baptism, receive and be sealed by his Holy Spirit in Confirmation, and receive his Body and Blood in the Eucharist. It is then how we live our vocations that God calls us to, whether that be the single life, consecrated or religious life, or the married life that we continue the plan of his salvation through our spiritual and corporal works of mercy and the raising of our children in the faith.
How are you going to take advantage of God’s plan of salvation? Do you know what it is? Do you know where to start?
Denunciation of the Pharisees and Scholars of the Law (Continued) (Luke 11:47-54)
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus continues to speak to the scholar and in the end, the Pharisees and scribes begin their plotting against him. Jesus is straightforward in his accusations of the scholars.
47 Woe to you! You build the memorials of the prophets whom your ancestors killed.
Luke 11:47-49
God sent his prophets to Israel and in many cases, they were rejected. And in the same way that they rejected the prophets of the Old Testament, they rejected and killed John the Baptist and ultimately Jesus in his crucifixion.
We need to stop being like the scribes and Pharisees. I see so often what appears to be the gatekeeping of knowledge. Knowledge of salvation is for everyone. We need to spread that knowledge as far and as wide as we can. It is our responsibility to bring people to Christ. Whether through our example or by actual evangelization and teaching.
And for those who teach, the teaching needs to be authentic and true to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. There are times to be nice and times when we need to be firm. And when we teach our faith, we have to speak the truth, no matter how hard it is for people to hear. It is not the time to be lukewarm with our faith.
So how are you going are you going to spread faith? How are you going to elevate yourself to be better than the scribes and Pharisees.
A Prayer for Perseverance
Lord Jesus Christ, I believe in You as my God and my Saviour. Make me more faithful to Your Gospel and commandments. By sharing in the Eucharist, may I come to live more fully in the life You have given me. Keep Your Love alive within my heart and soul so that I may become worthy of You. Teach me to value and be thankful for all of Your Gifts. Help us to strive for eternal life.3
Newman Ministry. Saint Ignatius of Antioch. https://www.newmanministry.com/saints/saint-ignatius-of-antioch
Franciscan Media. Saint Ignatius of Antioch. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-ignatius-of-antioch/
Catholic Online. A Prayer for Perseverance. https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=1707