WORD 2day: 17th October, 2014

The Spirit of Courage: Remembering St. Ignatius of Antioch

Eph 1: 11-14; Lk 12: 1-7.

Ignatius of Antioch whom we remember today belongs to the earliest of the Christian communities, right during the Apostolic times. He is said to have been a student of St. John the Apostle. He was the Bishop of Antioch and is a representative icon of the first Christians who were persecuted and killed. The readings of the day bring out the very theme that the memoria too stands for - the Spirit of power and love and self-disciple (cf. 2 Tim 1:7), with which we are sealed. Where does this Spirit of Courage and fearlessness come from? From a life that is lived founded well on true convictions and absolute commitment. Jesus brings it out in radical terms in the Gospel today.

Do not fear, do not be afraid... Jesus repeatedly assures us not to be guided by fear. When we filled with true convictions and not convenient compromises, when we are taken up with absolute commitment to the life task entrusted to us, we will be truthful to God who has created us, chosen us in Christ and commissioned us to be the people of God. That truth will indeed set us free (cf. Jn 8:32). When we live by truth, we will not fear anyone or anything. The martyrs are shining witnesses in this regard and we are called to emulate that fearlessness in our witness too. We will be enabled to do it by the Spirit of Courage, that is poured into our hearts, that which we hold on to as the mark of our belonging to God.