17 October, Friday — Remain Faithful in the Lord

Oct 17 – Memorial for St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr

St. Ignatius (c. 50–107) was a convert from paganism to Christianity. He succeeded Peter as bishop of Antioch, Syria. He served during persecution of Domitian. During the persecution of Trajan, he was ordered to be taken to Rome to be killed by wild animals. On the way, a journey which took months, he wrote a series of encouraging letters to the churches under his care. He was the first writer to use the term The Catholic Church. He was an apostolic father and a martyr. His name occurs in the Canon of the Mass. Legend says he was the infant that Jesus took into his arms in Mark 9.

• Patron Saint Index

Phi 3:17-4:1
Jn 12:24-26

“…do not give way but remain faithful in the Lord.”

Every day, we are tempted to sin. Whether it’s refusing to give way to the driver who is trying to cut into my lane, hastily replying an email curtly, or moving along and ignoring someone who needs help by the side of the street. By our own human weakness, we sometimes commit sin by doing something wrong, or even not doing what should be done – in other words, we commit the sin of omission.

Today’s readings are thus an encouragement and a challenge from the Lord — for us to strive to do what is right. And although we may be tempted to sin again and again, St Paul tells us to “not give way but remain faithful in the Lord”.

In the first reading too, St Paul also reminds us that we have our Lord Jesus Christ — who will transform our wretched bodies into copies of His glorious body, and that He will do that by the same power with which He can subdue the whole universe. I see this as an assurance of God’s faithfulness towards us and never leaving us to fight our own battles. He is, and will always be there, to battle for us and to keep us in His care.

Brothers and sisters, let us take heed of today’s exhortation by St Paul and choose to follow after Christ and walk in His footsteps.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Nicholas Lee)

Prayer: Lord, may I have the grace to always choose what is best and what is right, so that I may truly live out my calling to be Your disciple.

Thanksgiving: Thank you, Lord, for the gift of faith to know that You are always with me to help me make the right choices in life.