Monday, October 16, 2022

 

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr

(Ephesians 2:1-10; Luke 12-13-21)

Many commentators look to the fourth century as the beginning of the downfall of the Church.  In that period Christianity was not only decriminalized but also became the state religion.  Since then, becoming a Christian was politically correct and scoundrels of different stripes have entered the Church.

The Letter to the Ephesians, probably written in the latter part of the first century, features a pristine Christianity.  In today’s reading the author, who was probably a disciple of St. Paul, tells of how Christians before their conversions had lived much like everyone else.  That is, they were focused on pleasure and accumulation and given to wrath.  Then they responded to the call of Christ.  They could take advantage of his grace to live exemplary lives featuring good works.  There was no material advantage in being a Christian at that time.  However, there was the hope of eternal life for practitioners.

The Christian situation is coming full circle.  People are leaving the Church in significant numbers.  No more is it very advantageous to be a Christian.  There is much to regret in the loss as many Christian values like the dignity of the human person from conception to natural death no longer penetrate public life.  However, the time is upon us to experience intimate friendship in the Lord as we give exemplary testimony to him with our lives.

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