Romans 4:20-25; Ps blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people; Luke 12:13-21
Click here for a little theme song for this Monday morning
Ignatius was a bishop in the early church. He gave his life in 107 by being thrown to wild animals under the EMperor Trajan. On the way to Martyrdom he wrote several letter to several communities of Christians.
He spoke about many things but in particular was the gift of the Eucharist.
In the letter to the Smyrnaeans he identifies Heretics as those who "abstain from the EUcharist and from pryer, because they do not confess the EUcharist to be the flesh of our Savior JEsus Christ, which suffered for our sins, and which the Father, in His goodness, raised up again. Those, who speak against this gift of GOd, incur death in the midst of their disputes. Yet it would be better for them to treat it with respect, that they also might rise."
He also spoke about the role of the Bishop, "Wherever the Bishop shall appear their let the assembly also be-just as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. Apart from the Bishop, it is not lawful to Baptize or to celebrate an agape. But whatever he shall approve is pleasing to God, so that everything that is done may be secure and valid."
Just a few words from Ignatius of Antioch.
Now for the readings of the day.
St. Paul invites the Christians in Rome to believe in the promise. We are empowered by faith and we can give glory to God and thus are convinced that what God has promised he will be able to do.
Look again at the words St. Paul uses to describe Abraham as well us:
empowered by faith, give glory to God, convinced, God has promised, be able to do.
These are clear and precise and invigorating for us as we journey forth.
Are we empowered by faith? What in our live reveals that power full active in our life? What is driving us forth?
Examine your life today! Where is the semblance or evidence of your faith?
St. Ignatius was certainly empowered by faith as he was thrown to the wild animals. He was also empowered by faith has he clung to the reality of the Eucharist as the body and blood and soul and divinity of Christ, that gift from God's goodness.
He was empowered by faith as he trusted in the Role of the Bishop to gather the people.
As you enter into the world of wild things today, it is a jungle out there, don't lose sight of you faith it will empower you.
We think about all kinds of energy and energy crisis in our life: fossil fuels, natural gas, oil, going green, solar, wind power and the list goes on.
Faith surpasses all of those. We just have to engage it. Every day provides ample opportunity to be empowered by faith. The issue with faith is the more you use it the stronger it becomes.
This is what JEsus speaks of in the gospel with that one liner, "Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God."
Remember those commercials, "Got milk?"
St. Paul and JEsus ask "Got Faith?"
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