Saints

The early Bishop, Saint Ignatius of Antioch, while being carted to Rome for his execution, wrote a letter to the Catholics of Rome. He likened himself to human wheat that would be ground into flour by the teeth of the lions that would tear him apart. All discipleship involves sacrifice and martyrdom. I am afraid that most Priests today are too “soft,” with no sacrifices in their lives. In second year Latin, which involved mostly translation of texts, this Epistle was one that we translated…..it always stuck with me.

“I am corresponding with all the churches and bidding them all realize that I am voluntarily dying for God — if, that is, you do not interfere. I plead with you, do not do me an unseasonable kindness. Let me be fodder for wild beasts — that is how I can get to God. I am God’s wheat and I am being ground by the teeth of wild beasts to make a pure loaf for Christ. I would rather that you fawn on
the beasts so that they may be my tomb and no scrap of my body be left. Thus, when I have fallen asleep, I shall be a burden to no one. Then I shall be a real disciple of Jesus Christ when the world sees my body no more. Pray Christ for me that by these means I may become God’s sacrifice. I do not give you orders like Peter and Paul. They were apostles: I am a convict. They were at liberty:
I am still a slave. But if I suffer, I shall be emancipated by Jesus Christ; and united to him, I shall rise to freedom. Even now as a prisoner, I am learning to forgo my own wishes.”

St. Daniel the Stylite—Ora Pro Nobis!!!!!