Homily: Feast of St. Polycarp
Feast of St. Polycarp (2022) “The Model of Martyrs”
Polycarp was the Bishop of Smyrna in the 2nd Century. It is said that he knew St. John the Evangelist and was consecrated by him as Bishop. Smyrna was in Asia minor which is in present day Turkey. St. Polycarp was highly regarded and was considered the leader of the Bishops of Asia Minor. He was consulted about many church questions. He lived to be a ripe old age.
At the end of his life a persecution broke out that was instigated by Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The emperor wanted all the Christians wiped out in the empire. The Roman soldiers came to arrest Polycarp in a country home that he was staying at. Polycarp knew they were coming and could have fled, but he chose to stay and face his fate with dignity and courage.
When the soldiers came Polycarp asked if we might pray before they proceeded to the city. He meditated a couple of hours before he was placed on a donkey to be taken to the city. Polycarp’s demeaner disturbed the soldiers. They had never seen someone so calm in the face of death.
As he made his way to the city Polycarp’s death march became a triumphant procession. He encouraged those who were weeping over his impending fate, and he told them that he was going to become an offering to the Lord just like a Eucharistic offering.
When he arrived before the proconsul, he was given the chance to deny his faith. If he would only blaspheme the Lord, he could save himself. He would not and this shocked his persecutors.
He was told that he would be nailed to a pyre and burned to death. He refused to be fastened to the wood. He said that he would stand in the flames and accept his fate. It is said that as the fire burned the flames did not touch Polycarp’s flesh. Finally, a soldier stabbed him with a lance and Polycarp’s blood extinguished the flames. The account of his martyrdom has inspired Christians for two thousand years.
The words of St. Polycarp are disturbing to our ears. He looks forward to death. He welcomes martyrdom. It is both disconcerting and inspiring at the same time. The law of self-preservation seems to be cast aside. Polycarp believed firmly that his death would lead into everlasting life.
- Do the deaths of the martyrs inspire me or horrify me? Do I understand their zeal?
- If someone would ask me to deny Christ or die, what would I do? Did all the early Christians stand firm when threatened in such a way?
Dear Parishioners,
Today, I will be going to Peoria for a farewell reception for Bishop Jenky. He has been our bishop for twenty years. A lot has happened in those twenty years. When Bishop Jenky started his Episcopal ministry the full ramifications of the sex abuse scandal were just becoming apparent. This was a very difficult situation. One wonders what the history of the American church would have been like had this scandal not happened. One wonders how Bishop Jenky’s ministry might have been different.
It is said that thirty percent of those who approached to be a bishop in the church these days turn the office down. It is not an easy vocation. We wish Bishop Jenky well as he moves into retirement. He will probably be returning to Notre Dame to the Holy Cross Fathers. I am sure that we all hope that he finds peace there as he spends time in prayer and reflection. Bishop Jenky’s retirement date is March 3rd.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark