Reflection on the Fathers of the Church: Ignatius of Antioch

IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH

At the beginning of my formation in Theology, I only knew a few names of the Fathers of the Church.  I did not appreciate their lives and works in the Church because they had long been existing for more than one thousand years ago. I did not find them relevant in the modern world. They are antique and should remain in the attic in a small box. This was my negative prejudice against the Fathers of the Church. That biased gradually changed into a fruitful gathering of knowledge. I have come to realize their significance. Maybe there are at least three salient points to consider. First, the Fathers of the Church are our witnesses of our link with the Apostles of Jesus and the Apostolic Fathers. Second, the Fathers of the Church are the builders of the foundation of our theology, which until now is still being used. Third, the Fathers of the Church are still relevant to the issues of the contemporary world.

St. Ignatius of Antioch is among the Fathers of the Church, who belonged categorically in the ante-Nicene and Nicene Fathers. He was the third bishop of the primacy of Antioch (Turkey) since St. Peter founded it according to the traditions. He is a link to our Lord Jesus Christ, who was incarnated, suffered, died and was resurrected. He is a proof that the foundation of the Church was not a mere wimp of thought of a human being. It was founded through Peter, to whom Jesus commanded to build His Church upon a rock. I cannot now fathom how come a 1914 founded church claim that they are the link to Jesus. They claim that to whom the Scriptures refer to as the Church was theirs. It is like a person is trying to jump from a cliff a kilometer empty space in order to reach the other side. It is a bluff.

St. Ignatius of Antioch is called as the “Doctor of Unity”.  According to the catechesis of Benedict XVI on the Fathers of the Church, Ignatius was the first person in Christian literature to attribute to the Church the adjective "catholic" or "universal": "Wherever Jesus Christ is", he said, "there is the Catholic Church" (Smyrnaeans, 8: 2). And precisely in the service of unity to the Catholic Church, the Christian community of Rome exercised a sort of primacy of love: "The Church which presides in the place of the region of the Romans, and which is worthy of God, worthy of honour, worthy of the highest happiness... and which presides over love, is named from Christ, and from the Father..." (Romans, Prologue). Ignatius witnessing is a reminder to us, particularly of the greater Middle East turmoil at present. There is a constant call for unity among human beings to stop violence. As Ignatius was hoping for the unity in Christian faith, we also hope for the same goal. In our context,we can never be united in our faith, but at least we can be united in peace and love. Love is the ultimate law and peace could be achieved if we are true to our goal. But as Christians we are called to participate greater because Jesus has taught us well how to love.

St. Ignatius of Antioch shows us also the role and significance of a bishop. His theology on the importance of the bishop in the church is still being applied to the present theologies. He says, "Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the Bishop", he confides to Polycarp: "I offer my life for those who are submissive to the Bishop, to the presbyters, and to the deacons, and may I along with them obtain my portion in God!” (Polycarp, 6: 1-2). The authority of the bishop towards his flock is being emphasized by St. Ignatius. Even the priests and deacons are subject under the bishop.

With these three salient points I learn to appreciate one of the Fathers of the Church. These are the things I want to remember about this person. Thus, I can say St. Ignatius of Antioch is still relevant in our times.