Commentary on the Gospel of
ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, Bishop and Martyr
Bishop of Antioch in the 1st century, Ignatius (+c. 107) was arrested and condemned to be thrown to the beasts. On his way to Rome, several communities of Christians received him with much veneration. He thanked them in letters written during his journey, encouraged them to hold on to the faith and to remain united with the hierarchy "as strings on a lyre." He requested Christians not to keep him from dying a martyr, for "I am the wheat of Christ; let the teeth of the lions grind me, that I may become the stainless bread of Christ."
We too, become the bread of Christ and our life must become a Eucharist, an offering of thanksgiving with Christ.
