St. Ignatius of Antioch was a disciple of John the Apostle. St. Peter made him the bishop of Antioch. Legend has it that he was the child Jesus put among the disciples to teach them that serving the weak and poor was serving the Lord himself (Mark 9:36). After serving in Antioch for about 40 years, he was captured, sent to Rome and died a martyr there.
Not all Christians are the stuff of martyrs who have been chosen by God to bear witness for Him with their lives. In times of persecution, opportunities were everywhere; in times of peace, Christians die a different type of persecution. In short, they were probably what St. Paul deemed destined to be chosen as Christian martyrs (Ephesians 1:5). I am sure they are very brave and have a very deep faith in Jesus.
Why can't people lead whatever kind of life they wish to live, to believe in whatever they wish to believe? What are martyrs for? Do martyrs die to satisfy the blood-thirst of some men? the lust of sadists? Or simply to bear witness to human cruelty and irrationality? No! Paul summarized them well.
we who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:14-15)
Martyrs shed their blood, not just to die like a hero, but rather to live up to their name and to live for the praise of Jesus' glory. But what is Jesus' glory? According to the gospel of John, Jesus' glory was his crucifixion. Therefore, martyrs die to bear witness to the crucifixion of Jesus, the saving power of the cross and a conviction that there is life after death.
Who can help our weak flesh to attain this crown of glory? Of course, it must be the Holy Spirit. According to Paul, the Holy Spirit is God's guarantee, God's down payment to us. Suddenly, instead of God being the debtor, we become debtors! How great God's love be!
My dear Advocate, You who are God's down payment. What merit do we have to receive You? We are unworthy. Upgrade us so that we may work miracles in You. Amen.
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