St.  Polycarp of Smyrna (modern Izmir, Turkey) ( 65 AD ca – 155 AD ca )

From Polycarp’s letter to the Philippians

…..Chapter VIII

“Let us then continually persevere in our hope, and the earnest of our righteousness, who is Jesus Christ, “who bore our sins in His own body on the tree,” “who did no sin, neither was falsity found in His mouth,” but endured all things for us, that we might live in Him. Let us then be imitators of His patience; and if we suffer for His name’s sake, let us glorify Him. For He has set us this example in Himself, and we have believed that this is the truth.”

Note: Very little is known about the life of Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. He is one of the Apostolic Fathers together with Ignatius, Clement etc. Through his disciple St. Irenaeus, we come to know that he was a disciple of the Apostles especially of John. He also had acquaintances with those who had seen the Lord in the flesh. He was very much respected by Ignatius of Antioch. This is confirmed in the letter Ignatius himself wrote to Polycarp on the eve of his (Ignatius’) martyrdom. Polycarp died in Martyrdom of which we also have an account.

The Creed: For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended in heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead…….

Reflection: Jesus Christ, the son of the Living God, is the way, the truth and the life (Jn: 14,6). He redeemed us through his passion, crucifixion, death and resurrection. He took over him on the Holy Cross all our sins, mishaps, spiritual and physical illnesses……. and died on the Cross for all humanity. His sufferings gave us life in its fullness. We are strengthened  by the power of His love through the graces we are granted as pilgrims in the Church. We live our redemption through the sacraments especially in the Holy Eucharist. We have life in its fullness because Jesus suffered, died for us and on the third day he rose again from the dead. His Resurrection is our resurrection. The Gospel, taught and explained by the authority given to the Church by the same Lord Jesus Christ, enlightens our hearts to live and imitate our Saviour. We are invited to imitate our Lord Jesus Christ as his beloved disciples. Through prayer and through our sufferings we can imitate Jesus in a world that is thirsty for truth. Hope and patience do enrich our Christian vocation all around the world. Jesus is our life!

Prayer : We adore you,
Lord Jesus Christ,
here and in all your
churches in the whole world,
and we bless you,
because by your holy cross
you have redeemed the world. ( St. Francis)

fr. sandro