Friday 25 October 2013
Tuesday 22 October 2013
Blessed John Paul II, Poem by Fr. Edward O.P.
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| Bl. John Paul II |
Ordinary Time: October 22nd
At the community Mass this morning, having Blessed John Paul II in mind, we prayed for one fearful of hospital diagnosis.
----Forwarded Message----
From: Fr. Edward ....
Subject: So many matters
Subject: So many matters
Oct 21 at 6:48 AM
Dear Father Donald,
I thought to send you this poem.
. . .
I am trying to translate the poem into Polish (via Google translator) but I cannot get it to work. There will be Poles present at the Mass tomorrow night. I thought to get one to correct the translation. Have you Polish help?
Blessings from
fr Edward
End of a Stykkisholmur Novena to Blessed John Paul
Prophetic leaves showed
the direction and strength of the wind.
Pope Paul VI died in the Papal summer house
of Castel Gandolfo.
Expectations opened out.
To my Cambridge Brethren
before leaving for Rome
I said with conviction,
“The Church needs a totally sure moral leadership”.
but with long experience of Italy and the Church in Rome
Father Kanalm was self-sure enough to reject my candidate
who was the Polish Primate, Cardinal Vyshinski.
“A Polish Pope, Edward? Totally out of the question!”
They elected Cardinal Luciano, Patriarch of Venice.
He had written a few catechetical orderings,
and had addressed the thoughts of his soul to figures dead and living:
G.K. Chesterton, Ste Therese of Lisieux, Pinocchio,
designated together as “Illustrissimi.”
But he smiled and spoke from the depths of conscious heart-warmth,
and he chose the double name of John (in honour of Blessed John XXIII)
and Paul (in honour of Paul VI).
I arrived in Rome for the enthusiasm of his last General Audience
with the incidental boy-scherzo with Danielo.
Two days later he was found dead in bed;
his finger nails pierced the sheet of paper he was reading (so Father Magee his Secretary),
indicating a massive stroke from which he died instantly.
Like a champion runner he passed to his successor
a relayed torch of optimism and joy.
At his funeral in the Piazza the heavens wept rain
from a grey sky, and a solitary displaced pigeon
circled the scene and disappeared.
I had heard the masons’ hammers fashioning the tomb below the Basilica floor.
The Cardinals deliberated;
the winds of hope were tangled.
One of our Sisters - Catherine - was a typist at the Secretariat of State.
Archly she broke silence and said,
“They’re saying at the Vatican!” (the atmosphere electrified; normally she kept silent)
“the next Pope will be called John Paul ...”.
And so it was, and when presented from the balcony he said
“and with the help of Madonna sanctissima”
the hearts of all those present were swept clean and pure by his self-consciousness;
it all augured powerfully well.
Nearly martyred in the Piazza, his assailant’s gun jammed,
but from our Grottaferrata community
Sister Letizia Judice grabbed with force the back of his jacket,
and the Carabinieri moved quickly to take him into custody
as the Vatican ambulance, “going like the clappers” said il Conte Ambrogio, my friend
(it nearly knocked him down),
and a surgeon saved his life at the Policlinico Gemelli.
He moved quickly to become a World-Pope:
not only an Italian, not only a Polish Pope.
though his Polishness was not suppressed.
He released on the Catholic Church and the whole world
the unshakeable conviction that he was a man to be totally trusted.
Conscious of the force called into play,
he worked continually, his soul finding the charisma
within which he must pray, preach, speak and act.
Helped by an equipe of thirty priests he ran the Church
with charity and energy.
That Polish smile took on the experience and undisplayed anxieties:
so many documents,
so many sermons,
so many decisions,
so many travels.
The world knew him and he knew the world that knew him,
raised in heart and mind to the intensity of heaven
as an offering, holocausted and immolated on the altar of Saint Peter’s
and innumerable world altars on his visits.
Until he, the great preacher, could speak no more,
and must resign himself to enter the Father’s house.
Where, apotheosised, he shines in ever growing glory
where we must follow within the power of his tumultuous praise.
Stykkisholmur
20 October 2013
Fr. Father Edward O.P.
He kept the narrow middle way. Now what is the strict virtue called? It is called faith. Bl. J. H. Newman
for:October 22nd. 2013
Monastic Office of Vigils. A Word in Season, VI Ordinary Time Year 1, Augustine Press 1985.Newman Reader
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"And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded. His servants, therefore ... brought him to Jerusalem; and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers." [2 Chron. xxxv. 23-25.] Thus the best king of Judah died like Ahab, the worst king of Israel; so little may we judge of God's love or displeasure by outward appearances.
God continued His promised mercies to His people through David's line till they were too corrupt to receive them; the last king of the favoured family was forcibly and prematurely cut off, in order to make way for the display of God's vengeance in the captivity of the whole nation. He was taken out of the way; they were carried off to Babylon. "Weep ye not for the dead," says the prophet, "neither bemoan him: but weep sore for him that goeth away: for he shall return no more, nor see his native country." [Jer. xxii. 10.] As for Josiah, as it is elsewhere written of him, "His remembrance is sweet as honey in all mouths, and as music at a banquet of wine. He behaved himself uprightly in the conversion of the people, and took away the abominations of iniquity. He directed his heart unto the Lord, and in the time of the ungodly he established {107} the worship of God. All, except David, and Ezekias, and Josias, were defective; for they forsook the law of the Most High, even the kings of Juda failed." [Ecclus. xlix. 1-4.]
In conclusion, my brethren, I would have you observe in what Josiah's chief excellence lay. This is the character given him when his name is first mentioned; "He did ... right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left." [2 Kings xxii. 2.] He kept the narrow middle way. Now what is this strict virtue called? it is called faith. It is no matter whether we call it faith or conscientiousness, they are in substance one and the same: where there is faith, there is conscientiousness—where there is conscientiousness, there is faith; they may be distinguished from each other in words, but they are not divided in fact. They belong to one, and but one, habit of mind—dutifulness; they show themselves in obedience, in the careful, anxious observance of God's will, however we learn it. Hence it is that St. Paul tells us that "the just shall live by faith" under every dispensation of God's mercy. And this is called faith, because it implies a reliance on the mere word of the unseen God overpowering the temptations of sight. Whether it be we read and accept His word in Scripture (as Christians do), or His word in our conscience, the law written on the heart (as is the case with heathens); in either ease, it is by following {108} it, in spite of the seductions of the world around us, that we please God.
Sermon 7. Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place." 2 Kings xxii. 19, 20.
{91} KING JOSIAH, to whom these words are addressed, was one of the most pious of the Jewish kings, and the most eminent reformer of them all. On him, the last sovereign of David's house (for his sons had not an independent rule), descended the zeal and prompt obedience which raised the son of Jesse from the sheepfold to the throne, as a man after God's own heart. Thus, as an honour to David, the blessing upon his posterity remained in its fulness even to the end; its light not waxing "dim," nor "its natural force abating."
Saturday 19 October 2013
COMMENT: and Keswick Lake view
---- Forwarded Message ---
Date: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 ...
From: William ...
To: Donald....
Subject: North America Martyrs - commentary by St. Raphael Baron.
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| Keswick-and-Derwent-Water-from- surprise-view-lake-district- national-park-cumbria-england |
Date: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 ...
From: William ...
To: Donald....
Subject: North America Martyrs - commentary by St. Raphael Baron.
Dear Father Donald,
I see from your Blog that you located the article - St Raphael Baron has a way of expressing things that is both deeply attractive and meaningful. An extraordinary young man.
. . .
My friend Colonel Jim invited me to join him at Mass on Friday in Keswick, no requirement to visit Carlisle. He now lives on the ridge before the lakes, at a place called 'Troppenna' but spelt 'Torpenhow'! I wonder how such place names originated. I went on the early bus and arrived there in time. He then walked me down to the lake - magnificent views of the Lakeland hills, autumn colours beginning: a great treat. He remembers so well your welcome and his tour of the Abbey when he brought me, and was full of questions regarding my retreat. A solitary soul on his own journey, a privilege to share.
... in Our Lord,
William
Friday 18 October 2013
Gospel Lk. 12:8 12. Reading, St. Raphael Arnaiz Baron
Saints of the day:
Commentary of the day :
Why keep silent about it? Why hide it? Why not cry out to the whole world and proclaim to the four winds the wonders of God? Why not say to everyone what they would like to hear: You see what I am? You see what I was? You see my wretchedness dragged through the mire? No matter. Marvel at it: in spite of everything, I have God. God is my friend! Let the sun fall and the sea dry up in amazement. God loves me so deeply that if the whole world understood this everyone would go mad and shout in sheer amazement. Still more, all that is very little. God loves me so much that even the angels themselves do not understand it!
How great is the mercy of God! To love me, to be my friend, my brother, my father, my master. To be God, and I to be what I am!... How is it that I don't become mad; how is it possible to live, eat, sleep, talk and have dealing with everyone?... How is it possible, Lord? I know well; it is you who have shown me: it is by the miracle of your grace.
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Saturday, 19 October 2013
Sts. Isaac Jogues, John de Brébeuf and
Companions - Memorial
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SAINTS ISAAC
JOGUES
& JOHN DE BRÉBEUF PRIESTS & THEIR COMPANIONS MARTYRS (1642-1649)
Theses eight men were Jesuit
missionaries in North America in the 17th century, put to death, after
fearful torture by
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See commentary below.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 12:8-12.
Jesus said to his disciples:
"I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man
will acknowledge before the angels of God.
. . .
For the holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say."
. . .
For the holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say."
Commentary of the day :
Saint Raphael Arnaiz
Baron (1911-1938), a Spanish Trappist monk
Spiritual writings,
04/03/1938 (trans. cf. M. Mitchell)
"Everyone who
acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels
of God"
Today I take up my
pen, in the name of God, so that my words, imprinting themselves on the white
paper may give service in perpetual praise of God, the blessed author of my
life, my soul, my heart. I would like the whole universe, with all the planets,
stars and countless stellar systems, to be a vast smooth surface on which could
be written the name of God. I would like my voice to be stronger than a
thousand thunders, more powerful than the surge of the sea, more fearful than
the eruption of volcanoes, only to say the name of God. I would like my heart
to be as great as heaven, pure as that of the angels, guileless as that of the
dove, so that it could possess God. But as none of these grandiose dreams can
be realized, satisfy yourself, Brother Raphael, with little, and you who are
nothing, that very nothing must suffice...
Why keep silent about it? Why hide it? Why not cry out to the whole world and proclaim to the four winds the wonders of God? Why not say to everyone what they would like to hear: You see what I am? You see what I was? You see my wretchedness dragged through the mire? No matter. Marvel at it: in spite of everything, I have God. God is my friend! Let the sun fall and the sea dry up in amazement. God loves me so deeply that if the whole world understood this everyone would go mad and shout in sheer amazement. Still more, all that is very little. God loves me so much that even the angels themselves do not understand it!
How great is the mercy of God! To love me, to be my friend, my brother, my father, my master. To be God, and I to be what I am!... How is it that I don't become mad; how is it possible to live, eat, sleep, talk and have dealing with everyone?... How is it possible, Lord? I know well; it is you who have shown me: it is by the miracle of your grace.
Thursday 17 October 2013
St. Luke - his symbol is an OX, derived from Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 1) and sometimes explained by reference to sacrifice in the Temple in the early chapters of his Gospel.
Friday 17 October
SAINT LUKE
Evangelist
(Feast)
Evangelist
(Feast)
St. Luke, a physician at Antioch, and a painter, became a convert of St. Paul, and afterwards his fellow-laborer. He is best known to us as the historian of the New Testament. Though not an eye-witness of our Lord's life, the Evangelist diligently gathered information from the lips of the apostles, and wrote, as he tells us, all things in order.
The acts of the Apostles were written by this Evangelist as a sequel to his Gospel, bringing the history .of the Church down to the first imprisonment of St. Paul at Rome. The humble historian never names himself, but by his occasional use of "we" for "they" we are able to detect his presence in the scenes which he describes. We thus find that he sailed with St. Paul and Silas from Troas to Macedonia; stayed behind apparently for seven years at Philippi, and, lastly, shared the shipwreck and perils of the memorable voyage to Rome.
Here his own narrative ends, but from St. Paul's Epistles we learn that St. Luke was his faithful companion to the end. He died a martyr's death some time afterwards in Achaia.
Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. [1894]
http://www.ibreviary.com/m/breviario.php READINGS
FIRST READINGFrom the Acts of the Apostles
9:27-31; 11:19-26The Church was filled with the consolation of the Holy Spirit
Barnabas took Saul in charge and introduced him to the apostles. He explained to them how on his journey Saul had seen the Lord, who had conversed with him, and how Saul had been speaking out fearlessly in the name of Jesus at Damascus. Saul stayed with them moving freely about Jerusalem, and expressing himself quite openly in the name of the Lord. He even addressed the Greek-speaking Jews and debated with them. They for their part responded by trying to kill him. When the brothers learned of this, some of them took him down to Caesarea and sent him of to Tarsus. .....
RESPONSORY
Acts 12:24; 13:48, 52
The word of the Lord continued to increase and spread everywhere
– and all who were destined for eternal life believed in it.
The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
– And all who were destined for eternal life believed in it.
SECOND READING
St Greg Great - Typographically
From a homily on the
gospels by Saint Gregory the Great, pope
(Hom
17, 1-3: PL 76, 1139 )
The Lord follows his
preachers
Beloved brothers, our Lord and Saviour sometimes gives us instruction by words and
sometimes by actions. His very deeds are our commands; and whenever he acts
silently he is teaching us what we should do. For example, he sends his
disciples out to preach two by two, because the precept of charity is
twofold—love of God and of one’s neighbour.
The Lord sends his
disciples out to preach in twos in order to teach us silently that whoever
fails in charity toward his neighbour should by no means take upon himself the
office of preaching.
Rightly is it said that he
sent them ahead of him into every city and place
where he himself was to go. For the Lord follows after the preachers,
because preaching goes ahead to prepare the way, and then when the words of
exhortation have gone ahead and established truth in our minds, the Lord comes to live within us. To
those who preach Isaiah says: Prepare the way of the
Lord, make straight the paths of our God. And the psalmist tells them: Make a way for him who rises above the sunset. The
Lord rises above the sunset because from that very place where he slept in
death, he rose again and manifested a greater glory. He rises above the sunset
because in his resurrection he trampled underfoot the death which he endured.
Therefore, we make a way for him who rises above the sunset when
we preach his glory to you, so that when he himself follows after us, he may
illumine you with his love.
Let us listen now to his
words as he sends his preachers forth: The harvest is great but the labourers are few. Pray
therefore the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest. That
the harvest is good but the labourers are few cannot be said without a heavy
heart, for although there are many to hear the good news there are only a few
to preach it. Indeed, see how full the world is of priests, but yet in God’s
harvest a true labourer is rarely to be found; although we have accepted the
priestly office we do not fulfil its demands.
Think over, my beloved
brothers, think over his words: Pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers
into his harvest. Pray for us so that we may be able to labour
worthily on your behalf, that our tongue may not grow weary of exhortation,
that after we have taken up the office of preaching our silence may not bring
us condemnation from the just judge.
RESPONSORY
Cf Luke 1:3, 4; Acts 1:1
He carefully traced the whole story from the
beginning and wrote his gospel
– so
that we might understand
the truth of the teaching we had received.
He gave us a record concerning all that Jesus did
and taught.
– So
that we might understand
the truth of the teaching we had received.
St Greg Great - Typographically
From a homily on the
gospels by Saint Gregory the Great, pope
(Hom 17, 1-3: PL 76, 1139 )
The Lord follows his preachers
Beloved brothers, our Lord and Saviour sometimes gives us instruction by words and sometimes by actions. His very deeds are our commands; and whenever he acts silently he is teaching us what we should do. For example, he sends his disciples out to preach two by two, because the precept of charity is twofold—love of God and of one’s neighbour.
(Hom 17, 1-3: PL 76, 1139 )
The Lord follows his preachers
Beloved brothers, our Lord and Saviour sometimes gives us instruction by words and sometimes by actions. His very deeds are our commands; and whenever he acts silently he is teaching us what we should do. For example, he sends his disciples out to preach two by two, because the precept of charity is twofold—love of God and of one’s neighbour.
The Lord sends his
disciples out to preach in twos in order to teach us silently that whoever
fails in charity toward his neighbour should by no means take upon himself the
office of preaching.
Rightly is it said that he
sent them ahead of him into every city and place
where he himself was to go. For the Lord follows after the preachers,
because preaching goes ahead to prepare the way, and then when the words of
exhortation have gone ahead and established truth in our minds, the Lord comes to live within us. To
those who preach Isaiah says: Prepare the way of the
Lord, make straight the paths of our God. And the psalmist tells them: Make a way for him who rises above the sunset. The
Lord rises above the sunset because from that very place where he slept in
death, he rose again and manifested a greater glory. He rises above the sunset
because in his resurrection he trampled underfoot the death which he endured.
Therefore, we make a way for him who rises above the sunset when
we preach his glory to you, so that when he himself follows after us, he may
illumine you with his love.
Let us listen now to his
words as he sends his preachers forth: The harvest is great but the labourers are few. Pray
therefore the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest. That
the harvest is good but the labourers are few cannot be said without a heavy
heart, for although there are many to hear the good news there are only a few
to preach it. Indeed, see how full the world is of priests, but yet in God’s
harvest a true labourer is rarely to be found; although we have accepted the
priestly office we do not fulfil its demands.
Think over, my beloved
brothers, think over his words: Pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers
into his harvest. Pray for us so that we may be able to labour
worthily on your behalf, that our tongue may not grow weary of exhortation,
that after we have taken up the office of preaching our silence may not bring
us condemnation from the just judge.
compiled by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.
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| Matthew = Human/Angel | Mark = Lion | Luke = Ox | John = Eagle |
(They are located near the altar of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Daly City, CA -- used here with permission.)
- Ezekiel 1:1-14 - vision of four heavenly creatures with four faces each: human being, lion, ox, eagle.
- Ezekiel 10:1-22 - throne vision of cherubim with four faces each: cherub, human being, lion, eagle.
- Daniel 7:1-8 - vision of four beasts representing four empires: lion, bear, leopard, a terrible fourth beast with iron teeth and ten horns.
| Early Christian Author | Human/Angel | Lion | Ox | Eagle |
| St. Irenaeus of Lyons | Matthew | John | Luke | Mark |
| St. Augustine of Hippo | Mark | Matthew | Luke | John |
| Pseudo-Athanasius | Matthew | Luke | Mark | John |
| St. Jerome | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
The Symbols of all Four Evangelists together:
My Photos:
- Assisi: Basilica of San Francesco: symbols of the Four Evangelists surrounding the rosette window on the main façade
- Florence: Battistero di San Giovanni: symbols of the Four Evanglists on the doors of the Baptistery; others also outside the Orsanmichele
Ignatius of Antioch, Martyr, and the Atlas 'martyrs'.
Comment:
Ignatius of Antioch, martyr, today's memorial reminds of the Atlas Martyrs of Algeria.
Ignatius had the amazing journey from Antioch to Rome wrote seven letters to the different Churches. The seven monks of Our Lady of Atlas lived their martyrdom in the mountains of Algeria. The Prior, Fr. Christian, also wrote his Testament, expressing the faith of the monks.
Later Abbot of Bellefontaine said of, "Appended to Fr. Christian's Testament, written in the shifting of the Old Testament being fulfilled by the sacrifice of the New Testament, are two dates—December 1, 1993, and January 1, 1994. It seems to me that these dates correspond to two stages of the text. The first is when Fr. Christian notes, as if in passing, his reaction to the GIA's ultimatum, which warned foreigners that from then on they would be victims of violence. "If it should happen one day," wrote Fr. Christian, "and it could be today—that I become a victim. . . ." Then, for us, his community (his Cistercian family), his Church (all of us), and his relatives (represented here), he formulated four wishes that he would like us to take into account: to remember, to accept, to pray for him, and to expand our prayer." ....
Ignatius of Antioch, martyr, today's memorial reminds of the Atlas Martyrs of Algeria.
Ignatius had the amazing journey from Antioch to Rome wrote seven letters to the different Churches. The seven monks of Our Lady of Atlas lived their martyrdom in the mountains of Algeria. The Prior, Fr. Christian, also wrote his Testament, expressing the faith of the monks.
Later Abbot of Bellefontaine said of, "Appended to Fr. Christian's Testament, written in the shifting of the Old Testament being fulfilled by the sacrifice of the New Testament, are two dates—December 1, 1993, and January 1, 1994. It seems to me that these dates correspond to two stages of the text. The first is when Fr. Christian notes, as if in passing, his reaction to the GIA's ultimatum, which warned foreigners that from then on they would be victims of violence. "If it should happen one day," wrote Fr. Christian, "and it could be today—that I become a victim. . . ." Then, for us, his community (his Cistercian family), his Church (all of us), and his relatives (represented here), he formulated four wishes that he would like us to take into account: to remember, to accept, to pray for him, and to expand our prayer." ....
Trans from Italian http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/24900
Sant 'Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
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m. About 107
It was the third bishop of Antioch, in Syria, the third metropolis of the ancient world after Rome and Alexandria in Egypt, and when St. Peter was the first bishop. It was not a Roman citizen, and it seems that he was not born a Christian converting to age is not young anymore. While he was bishop of Antioch, the Emperor Trajan began the persecution of her. Arrested and sentenced, Ignatius was led in chains from Antioch to Rome, where he put up a sheltered feasts in honor of the Emperor and Christians had to serve as a spectacle, circus, torn to pieces by wild beasts. During the journey from Antioch to Rome, Ignatius wrote seven letters in which it recommended to flee from sin, to guard against the errors of the Gnostics, to maintain the unity of the Church. Something else then it was recommended, especially to Christians in Rome: not to intervene in his favor and not to save him from martyrdom. In the year 107, then, was torn to pieces by wild beasts to which he showed great tenderness. "Accarezzatele" he wrote, "that they may be my grave, and not Facciani remain nothing of my body, and my funeral is not against anyone." (Future)
Etymology: = Ignatius of fire, fiery, from the Latin
Emblem: Stick pastoral Palma
Martyrology: Memory of St. Ignatius, bishop and martyr, who, disciple of St. John the Apostle, St. Peter's interest to second after the Church of Antioch.Sentenced fairs under the Emperor Trajan, was brought to Rome and crowned with a glorious martyrdom during the trip, while experimenting the ferocity of the guards, similar to that of leopards, wrote seven letters to different churches, in which he exhorted the brethren to serve God in communion with the bishops and not to prevent that he was sacrificed as a victim for Christ.
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iBreviary
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Office of Readings
SECOND READING
From a letter to the Romans by Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr
(Cap. 4:1-2; 6:1-8, 3: Funk 1, 217-223)
I am writing to all the churches to let it be known that I will gladly die for God if only you do not stand in my way. I plead with you: show me no untimely kindness. Let me be food for the wild beasts, for they are my way to God. I am God’s wheat and shall be ground by their teeth so that I may become Christ’s pure bread. Pray to Christ for me that the animals will be the means of making me a sacrificial victim for God.
No earthly pleasures, no kingdoms of this world can benefit me in any way. I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire.
The time for my birth is close at hand. Forgive me, my brothers. Do not stand in the way of my birth to real life; do not wish me stillborn. My desire is to belong to God. Do not, then, hand me back to the world. Do not try to tempt me with material things. Let me attain pure light. Only on my arrival there can I be fully a human being. Give me the privilege of imitating the passion of my God. If you have him in your heart, you will understand what I wish. You will sympathize with me because you will know what urges me on.
The prince of this world is determined to lay hold of me and to undermine my will which is intent on God. Let none of you here help him; instead show yourselves on my side, which is also God’s side. Do not talk about Jesus Christ as long as you love this world. Do not harbor envious thoughts. And supposing I should see you, if then I should beg you to intervene on my behalf, do not believe what I say. Believe instead what I am now writing to you. For though I am alive as I write to you, still my real desire is to die. My love of this life has been crucified, and there is no yearning in me for any earthly thing. Rather within me is the living water which says deep inside me: “Come to the Father.” I no longer take pleasure in perishable food or in the delights of this world. I want only God’s bread, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, formed of the seed of David, and for drink I crave his blood, which is love that cannot perish.
I am no longer willing to live a merely human life, and you can bring about my wish if you will. Please, then, do me this favor, so that you in turn may meet with equal kindness. Put briefly, this is my request: believe what I am saying to you. Jesus Christ himself will make it clear to you that I am saying the truth. Only truth can come from that mouth by which the Father has truly spoken. Pray for me that I may obtain my desire. I have not written to you as a mere man would, but as one who knows the mind of God. If I am condemned to suffer, I will take it that you wish me well. If my case is postponed, I can only think that you wish me harm.
RESPONSORY
Nothing will be hidden from you
if you have perfect faith and love for Jesus Christ,
since these are the beginning and end of life.
– Faith, indeed, is the beginning and love is the end.
Clothe yourself with gentleness,
and be renewed in faith,
which is the flesh of the Lord,
and in love, which is the blood of Jesus Christ.
– Faith, indeed, is the beginning and love is the end.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Let us pray.
All-powerful and ever-living God,
you ennoble your Church
with the heroic witness of all
who give their lives for Christ.
Grant that the victory of Saint Ignatius of Antioch
may bring us your constant help
as it brought him eternal glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.
From a letter to the Romans by Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr
(Cap. 4:1-2; 6:1-8, 3: Funk 1, 217-223)
I am God’s wheat and shall be ground by the teeth of wild animals
I am writing to all the churches to let it be known that I will gladly die for God if only you do not stand in my way. I plead with you: show me no untimely kindness. Let me be food for the wild beasts, for they are my way to God. I am God’s wheat and shall be ground by their teeth so that I may become Christ’s pure bread. Pray to Christ for me that the animals will be the means of making me a sacrificial victim for God.
No earthly pleasures, no kingdoms of this world can benefit me in any way. I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire.
The time for my birth is close at hand. Forgive me, my brothers. Do not stand in the way of my birth to real life; do not wish me stillborn. My desire is to belong to God. Do not, then, hand me back to the world. Do not try to tempt me with material things. Let me attain pure light. Only on my arrival there can I be fully a human being. Give me the privilege of imitating the passion of my God. If you have him in your heart, you will understand what I wish. You will sympathize with me because you will know what urges me on.
The prince of this world is determined to lay hold of me and to undermine my will which is intent on God. Let none of you here help him; instead show yourselves on my side, which is also God’s side. Do not talk about Jesus Christ as long as you love this world. Do not harbor envious thoughts. And supposing I should see you, if then I should beg you to intervene on my behalf, do not believe what I say. Believe instead what I am now writing to you. For though I am alive as I write to you, still my real desire is to die. My love of this life has been crucified, and there is no yearning in me for any earthly thing. Rather within me is the living water which says deep inside me: “Come to the Father.” I no longer take pleasure in perishable food or in the delights of this world. I want only God’s bread, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, formed of the seed of David, and for drink I crave his blood, which is love that cannot perish.
I am no longer willing to live a merely human life, and you can bring about my wish if you will. Please, then, do me this favor, so that you in turn may meet with equal kindness. Put briefly, this is my request: believe what I am saying to you. Jesus Christ himself will make it clear to you that I am saying the truth. Only truth can come from that mouth by which the Father has truly spoken. Pray for me that I may obtain my desire. I have not written to you as a mere man would, but as one who knows the mind of God. If I am condemned to suffer, I will take it that you wish me well. If my case is postponed, I can only think that you wish me harm.
RESPONSORY
Nothing will be hidden from you
if you have perfect faith and love for Jesus Christ,
since these are the beginning and end of life.
– Faith, indeed, is the beginning and love is the end.
Clothe yourself with gentleness,
and be renewed in faith,
which is the flesh of the Lord,
and in love, which is the blood of Jesus Christ.
– Faith, indeed, is the beginning and love is the end.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Let us pray.
All-powerful and ever-living God,
you ennoble your Church
with the heroic witness of all
who give their lives for Christ.
Grant that the victory of Saint Ignatius of Antioch
may bring us your constant help
as it brought him eternal glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.
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