The Power That Raises and the Spirit That Speaks: The Courage of Saint Ignatius

Eph 1:15-23, Psalm: 8, Lk 12:8-12

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr

My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

On this Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, a bishop who faced the Roman authorities with unshakable courage, the Word of God presents us with the source of his strength. Saint Paul prays for the Ephesians to know “the immeasurable greatness of his power” at work in believers—the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at the Father’s right hand. Jesus promises His disciples that when they are brought before authorities, the Holy Spirit will teach them what to say. Saint Ignatius experienced this power and this promise. He stands as a witness to the victory of grace over fear.

In his Letter to the Ephesians, Saint Paul prays that the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened, so that they may know “the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe.” Paul is not speaking of abstract theology; he is speaking of a living, dynamic force. This power is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him “far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion.” Christ is the head over all things for the Church, which is His body, “the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.” We are not weak. We are not alone. The power that conquered death is at work in us.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus prepares His disciples for persecution. “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.” He warns that whoever denies Him will be denied. Then He gives a promise of immense comfort: “When they bring you before synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you must say.” Jesus does not promise that persecution will not come. He promises that we will not face it alone. The Holy Spirit will be our voice.

Saint Ignatius of Antioch knew this power and experienced this promise. He was the bishop of Antioch, the city where the disciples were first called Christians. He was arrested and sent to Rome to be thrown to the wild beasts. Along the way, he wrote seven letters to churches, letters that have become treasures of early Christian literature. In them, he speaks of his longing for martyrdom: “I am God’s wheat, and I shall be ground by the teeth of beasts, that I may become the pure bread of Christ.” He was not afraid. He did not deny Christ. The Holy Spirit filled his mouth with words of witness and his heart with courage. He stood before the authorities, and the Spirit spoke through him.

Pope Benedict XVI, reflecting on Saint Ignatius, said, “He teaches us that the only true treasure in this world is the grace of God, and that the only true honor is fidelity to Christ.” Pope Francis has said, “The martyrs remind us that the power of God is revealed in weakness, and that His love is stronger than death.” And Saint Ignatius himself wrote, “Nothing that is seen is good; for even the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal.”

What does this mean for us? We may not face the prospect of martyrdom, but we face our own trials and our own moments of witness. We are called to acknowledge Christ before others—in our families, our workplaces, our communities. We are called to trust that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us. And we are called to believe that the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say when we need them. We are not alone. The power of the Resurrection is our strength.

Today, let us examine our hearts. Are we living in the power of the Resurrection, or are we paralyzed by fear? Are we acknowledging Christ before others, or are we denying Him by our silence? Let us ask Saint Ignatius to intercede for us, that we may have his courage, his faith, and his love for Christ, and that we may trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to speak through us. Amen.

May God bless you all!