Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 28 Ordinary time - October 17, 2020

SATURDAY 28TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II MEMORIAL OF ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 12:8-12 DO NOT REFUSE THE CROWN OF GLORY Today we celebrate the memorial of St Ignatius the second bishop of Antioch after St Peter. He was a very zealous convert to Christianity and he was a disciple of St John the evangelist. He was a great leader in the early church that he was chosen to succeed Evodius who had succeeded St Peter. From 94-96 AD, there was a great persecution of the church under Emperor Domitian. St Ignatius was steadfast in defending the faith and giving hope to the Christians not to denounce their faith. From 98-117AD, there was a more fierce persecution under Emperor Trajan. Ignatius was captured in 107AD and brought before Trajan, but he so much spoke boldly about the faith that Trajan order that he should be sent to Rome to be devoured by beasts. Ignatius who was about 62 years old at this time had a painful journey from Antioch to Rome. The soldiers were very cruel to him. During this long journey, ignatius strengthened the faith of the many Christians who came out in the streets to see a bishop ready to die for the faith. Ignatius wrote many letters especially to various Christian communities which contain a lot about the early church and the faith exhibited by the early Christians. Though many Christians worked hard to release him, he warned them not to deny him the crown of martyrdom. He bore witness to the faith till the end. In the gospel reading of today, Jesus tells us that those who boldly witness to his name and the kingdom of God, he will welcome them at the gate of heaven, he will also remember them and bless them and introduce them to his father in heaven. May almighty God help us to courageously defend our faith in him and witness to him. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP