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’.
