October 17

 

Memorial of
Saint Ignatius of Antioch
Bishop and Martyr

Image created using Google AI Image Creator.

Today’s Gospel: Luke 12:8-12
(Here I am Lord)

“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious how or what you are to answer or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

 

Reflection:

Paul prays something so beautiful in Ephesians: that the eyes of our hearts would be enlightened, so that we would see the hope of His calling and the riches of His glorious inheritance. Think about this: Jesus Christ is above every power and every name, and He has made the Church His own Body! Every time you share the Gospel, you are speaking with the voice of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. You aren’t alone in this, my sisters and brothers. You are part of something enormous.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus promises that whoever acknowledges Him before others, He will acknowledge before the angels of God! That is amazing! And then comes the part that frees us all: when the moment arrives, the Holy Spirit will teach us what to say. We don’t have to rehearse speeches or have every answer. We just have to be willing to say His Name with real love.

Saint Ignatius of Antioch did exactly that, with a joy that still amazes me. He was a bishop in the very early Church, and he signed his letters with the name Theophorus, meaning "God-bearer." What a title! It’s the very same idea as Theotokos, the title we give Our Lady, who gave birth to Jesus. It is Beneath the Standard of Mary, where every Christian becomes a little God-bearer, carrying Jesus to everyone we meet. Ignatius traveled to Rome in chains, and his letters along the way overflowed with love for Jesus Christ.

Who are you carrying Jesus to today? Could you say His Name out loud this week to someone who doesn’t know Him? Ask the Holy Spirit for the words and ask Our Lady for the courage of a God-bearer. Live a life with Bold-Faith.

 

Rosary Man Jim 🌹
Freely given. Freely shared.

Location: Tonawanda, NY 14150, USA

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