Ignatius of Antioch , Neapolitan School of
Painting , possibly Cesare Fracanzano ( 1605-1651 ).
Ignatius ’ s sense of his own training for discipleship and preparation for its completion is a particularly valuable lesson ( mathēteia ) for us today . A Christian disciple is ever on the path of his Teacher . Similarly , Polycarp does not ask what he is unwilling to do himself . He said , “ let us then become imitators of His endurance , and if we should suffer for His name ’ s sake , let us glorify Him .” 12 While it is unlikely — though never out of the question — that the readers of this article will be fed to lions , it is nevertheless important to recognize that discipleship is always something “ in progress .” This is why , of course , the martyrdom accounts of Polycarp , Perpetua , Felicity , and others recorded by ecclesiastical historians exist at all : the encouragement of the brethren . We can , then , consider the outcome of the lives of these witnesses and imitate their faith ( Heb 13:7 ). All march daily toward their earthly end . Even if we will not perish in the arena , the hour of death comes for us all as an arena for our own final testimony .
Kevin Clarke , Ph . D ., is the Dean of the Institute for Lay Ministry .
1 Quoted from Action Step 1.1 in Archbishop Allen H . Vigneron ,
Unleash the Gospel ( Detroit : Archdiocese of Detroit , 2017 ), 53 . 2 See Jn 19:37 and Rv 1:7 , quoting the prophecy from Zec 12:10 . 3 More than seven letters are attributed to Ignatius , but these are the ones that are recognized by scholars as authentic : Ephesians , Magnesians , Trallians , Romans , Philadelphians , Smyrneans , and the letter to St . Polycarp .
4 Gregory Vall , Learning Christ : Ignatius of Antioch & the Mystery of Redemption ( Washington , D . C .: Catholic University of America Press , 2013 ), 45 . See Paul ’ s “ you did not so learn Christ ” ( Eph 4:20 ), likely the basis for Ignatius ’ s reference in Philad ., 8.2 .
5 Trall ., 5.2 , translations from Ignatius ’ s letters are my own . For those interested in reading his letters , they are accessible in the public domain on newadvent . org . 6 Eph . 1:3 . 7 Rom . 4:2 . 8 MPoly ., 15.2 . 9 Philad ., 8.2 . 10 Polyc ., 2.1 . “ Good ” here could also be translated as “ beautiful .” 11 MPoly ., 10.1 . 12 Poly ., 7.2 . shms . edu 11