Eyes on the Prize
Oil on canvas 5' x 5'

The details and quotations of this story are found in the Catholic Encyclopedia.

It is recorded in the gospels that Jesus took a little child into his arms, turned to his disciples and said: "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me..." (Mark 9:36) Many historians believe that the particular little child in Jesus' arms was the young Ignatius, born in Syria around 50 A.D. Whatever the case, historians are certain that in his later years, Ignatius was a fervent disciple of Christ, taught personally under the leadership of John the beloved Apostle and eventually appointed by the Apostle Peter as the third bishop of Antioch.

Bishop Ignatius displayed outstanding character as both pastor and true soldier of Christ. When a wave of persecution broke out against the Christians in Syria, it found their leader ready, encouraging all the saints, only concerned about the possibility that there might be some who did not have the courage needed for the test he saw coming.

The Catholic Encyclopedia describes his efforts during this period of persecution: "He was unremitting in his vigilance and tireless in his efforts to inspire hope and to strengthen the weaklings of his flock against the terrors of the persecution."  Of the original disciples, who must all have been his heroes and mentors, only John had escaped death by martyrdom; and so, even under great trial and pressure, "...(Ignatius) rejoiced, as the one great and ever-present wish of his chivalrous soul was that he might receive the fullness of Christian discipleship through the medium of martyrdom. His desire was not to remain long unsatisfied."

The Roman emperor, Trajan, decreed that the Christians should unite with their pagan neighbors in worship of the gods. Death was named as the penalty for all who refused to offer the officially prescribed sacrifices. Ignatius would have none of this compromise and was outspoken against it. His attitude was not long hidden from the authorities and he as eventually arrested and brought before them.

In front of the emperor, Ignatius courageously defended his faith in Jesus Christ; consequently, emperor Trajan found him guilty of violating the imperial edict and ordered him to be taken in chains to Rome, there to be fed to lions in the Coliseum.

After the long and difficult journey to Rome, during which Ignatius (in chains) wrote several letters to the churches (letters that are still in circulation today), Ignatius finally stood in the center of the arena, calmly ready to meet his end. Looking up to the audience, he asked for their attention and began to speak:

"O you Romans, all of you who have come to witness with your own eyes this combat: I want you to know that this punishment is not because of any misdeed or crime, but that I may come to God, for whom I long, and for whom to enjoy this is my insatiable desire.

"For I am the grain of God. I am ground by the teeth of beasts, that I may be found a pure bread for Christ, who is to me the bread of life."

Once these words were spoken, two lions were released from their pits, immediately charging Ignatius and devouring him.

I have presented brave Ignatius as his words indicate that his spirit was: in the very swirl of violence that meant the end of his earthly existence, the lids to his physical eyes are closed; yet, standing in the shape of an arrow pointing heavenward, the eyes of the faith by which he walked are wide open, fixed on the prize that awaited him just beyond the lion’s jaws. 

As I reflect on Ignatius and where he is now, the opening words of Hebrews 12 come to mind: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Peculiar Graces: Eyes on the Prize.  Ignatious was given the peculiar grace to be extremely purposeful in and at his moment of death.