Thursday, April 21 : Saint Ignatius of Antioch

I render glory to Jesus Christ the God who has given you such wisdom. For I have perceived that you are firmly settled in unwavering faith, being nailed, as it were, to the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ in flesh and spirit, and firmly planted in love in the blood of Christ, being fully convinced as touching our Lord that he is truly “of the race of David after the flesh,” (Rm 1:3) and Son of God after the divine will and power, truly born of a virgin, baptized by John, that “all righteousness might be fulfilled by Him,” (Mt 3:15), truly nailed for us in the flesh under Pontius Pilate and Herod the Tetrarch. And it is from the fruit of his Cross, even of his most blessed Passion, that we must live. For through his resurrection he “raised us up as an ensign” (Is 5:26) to the ages, for his saints and believers, whether among Jews or Gentiles, in one body of his Church (Eph 2:16). For all these sufferings he endured for our sakes that we might be saved. And he truly suffered, as also he truly raised himself up. Nor is it the case, as some unbelievers affirm, that he suffered in semblance (…). For I know and believe that he was in the flesh even after the resurrection. And when he came to Peter and those who were with him, he said to them: “Take, handle me and see that I am not a spirit without body.” And straightway they touched him and believed, being united with his flesh and spirit. Therefore also they despised death, and were found to rise above death. Moreover after his resurrection Jesus ate with them and drank with them, as living in the flesh, although spiritu­ally united with the Father. Now these things I urge upon you, beloved, knowing that this, too, is your profession of faith.
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team