October
17th, Feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch
At that
hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in
the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in
the midst of them, And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and
become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever
therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the
kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:1-4)
According to an ancient
tradition, St. Ignatius of Antioch was the child whom Christ took and presented
to the apostles as the example of the one who is greater in the kingdom of
heaven. From that day the child, who was most beloved by the Savior and favored
with the divine embrace, was also marked as the one upon whom lions would feast
in the Roman Colosseum.
Turning to a sermon of the
gentle Doctor, St. Francis de Sales, we will consider the example of this great
bishop and martyr.
