Wednesday, February 23, 2022

 Memorial of Saint Polycarp, bishop and martyr

(James 4:13-17; Mark 9:38-40)

St. Polycarp’s strange (to us) sounding name means much or rich fruits.  He certainly left rich fruits of meaning as a legacy.  Polycarp is an important link in the Apostolic Tradition.  It is said that he knew St. John, the evangelist.  It is certain that he encountered St. Ignatius of Antioch.  The latter wrote one of his famous letters to him.  Ignatius said that he was impressed not only by Polycarp’s godly mind but, more so, by his “holy face.”

More than anything else, Polycarp’s martyrdom sealed for him a place of glory.  He was an old man when he was brought before the Roman proconsul for sentencing.  The official asked Polycarp to curse Christ.  When the saint refused, the proconsul turned him over to be eaten by lions.  The wild beasts, however, had been put away for the night.  So Polycarp was condemned to die by burning.  He responded with courage and joy.  The proconsul was astonished. When the fire was lit, it was blown outward. Polycarp’s body was left unharmed but emitted the smell of incense.  Someone then took a dagger to pierce Polycarp’s heart.  The blood which gushed out extinguished the fire.  Polycarp’s flock was prevented from taking up his body which was then burned.  In the end, the Christians gathered up the ashes and remaining bones to venerate.

Polycarp’s and others’ martyrdom did not end Christianity.  Quite the opposite, they have spurred belief in Christ. The Church has used remains of martyrs as the base on which the Eucharist is celebrated.  We pray that our love for Christ and neighbor may be as strong as the martyrs’.