Homily: Feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch

Feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch (Ephesians 1:1-10) “Everyone is Chosen”

St. Paul introduces himself to the Ephesians as an apostle. He felt that he had been an ambassador for the Jewish faith earlier in his life. But now he was an apostle for Christ. His purpose in life was to introduce Jesus to a waiting world.

Paul had been chosen for this role. He did not act on his own initiative, but he was picked out to act by Jesus himself. This selection took place from the beginning of time. This is a bold statement. It also gave Paul a sense that his station in life was not an accident.

Paul says that Jesus brought two types of knowledge to the world. He brought wisdom and he brought insight. Wisdom is something that is philosophical and academic. This is the type of knowledge we find in Theological schools.

When I was a child, my parents would speak of people who had their heads in the clouds. Perhaps they would also refer to someone who was a perpetual student. The person they would look at would be someone who seemed to never get their career started. Jesus could engage in intellectual discussion with the religious leaders and Theologians he interacted with, but he could do more.

The knowledge he had was insightful or we might say practical. He could take the most complex questions and explain them to the man in the street. The knowledge Jesus taught was something that could be applied in everyday life to make living easier.

The fisherman, the housewife, the farmer, the artisan could relate to what Jesus taught. Some people who are brilliant cannot teach because they are impatient with those who are not as smart. Jesus had lived in real world as a working man, and he came to bring a message that could transform anyone from the best educated to those who never went to school.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Who was my favorite teacher? Why?

2.   How did Jesus teach about God? What were his methods?

Dear Parishioners,

            Remember that this Sunday at 11 a.m. Mass we will be celebrating the Anointing of the Sick. This sacrament is underutilized in our church. It is a sacrament that can be received any number of times.

            If you are in distress mentally, physically or spiritually you are invited to come and partake in this sacrament. If you are confined to a wheelchair, come and sit in front of the church and we will come to you when it comes time for anointing.

            May Our Lady of Peace pray for us,

            Fr. Mark