Today there is another important figure in the Catholic Church, whom we need to know as we celebrate his feast day. He was a bishop of Antioch and a prolific writer. He wrote seven letters to local communities on church unity and structure. He was the first bishop to use the term “Catholic Church” as a collective designation for the universality of the church mentioned in the Roman Canon. St. Ignatius affirms that Catholic Church means “the whole church that is one and the same wherever there is a Christian congregation.” We must be conscious that it was in Antioch (Acts 11:26; 26:28) that followers of Christ were called “Christians” long before the break away protestants claimed to be the “true Christians.” History is necessary in understanding our Catholic faith and affinity with the Lord and his early disciples.
St. Ignatius of Antioch’s letters on his last journey are considered to be treasures of Christianity today. His letters collectively serve as a clear example of Christian theology. Some of the topics are on ecclesiology, sacraments, and the role of the bishops. He was an ideal pastor of his flock, a good example for everyone to be drawn closer to the Lord. He is believed to be a beloved of St. John, the Apostle,and also consecrated by St. Peter as a bishop in 69 AD. He preached the gospel with profound conviction and dedication and taught his followers to surrender fully to Christ so that they could freely die for Him when the time came. On his way to be persecuted in the arena in Rome where he died, he wrote 7 letters to encourage Christians to be faithful and to be united with the Lord. He was martyred in Rome in 107 AD.
Today, we have this gospel from St. Luke where Jesus narrates to us another parable regarding possessions and wealth and how it is difficult to move on with our material baggage. The man in the parable had tremendous harvest, enough to be comfortable for himself. He says to himself that he will build a larger barn and then make it a delightful place of security and satisfaction.
However, Jesus tells this parable to remind His listeners that this man cannot take it with him when the time comes, even if he were to die that night. It is a foolish plan in the eyes of God. It is certainly not wise that we are preoccupied with many things that prevent us from establishing a better relationship with God. Being self-confident and caring only for oneself is foolish. Our mentality that we control our future is a disastrous idea. We have the desire, but not the power, to do what we want with our lives.
Let us follow the path of total dedication of St. Ignatius of Antioch, solely to live for Christ because Jesus has everything we need in order to be happy and to be “rich in matters to God.”
St. Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us.
Fr. Arlon, osa