Being sick this past week has given me additional time
to re-read Ignatius of Antioch's seven epistles (c.110 A.D.). They are easy to locate online (free of charge). I have really profited from Dr. Kenneth Howell's new translation
and commentary, Ignatius of Antioch & Polycarp of Smyrna.
One of the elements I have found most intriguing in his analysis of
Ignatius's epistles is the presence of what later theology terms
redemptive suffering.
By "redemptive suffering," I mean the belief that the sufferings God allows into our lives, when accepted and lived with
trust in His love for us, participate in the
sufferings of the Crucified; and the grace we receive to participate in Jesus' sufferings are of benefit not just to us, but the entire Body of Christ. In the past I shared my conviction that this belief is found in the writings of St. Paul and witnessed to both in our Eucharistic belief and our Blessed Mother's earthly life.
Dr. Howell helps us follow this thread from Paul through the Church's earliest days. Chapter
two of his book is devoted to Ignatius's theology of martyrdom. I have
read two other translations of Ignatius's epistles, but no one before
Dr. Howell pointed out the literal translation of Ignatius's Greek term,
antipsuchon - "substitute soul." To put it in context, here is
Ignatius's usage in his epistles to the Smyrneans and Polycarp,
respectively: "My spirit and my bonds are your substitute soul"; "I and
my bonds that you love are your substitute soul in every way." Listen
to Dr. Howell's commentary here, "[Ignaitus's] sharing in the passion of Christ serves to advance the spiritual welfare of those to whom he writes since he is their 'substitute soul' (antipuschon). Since in his mind Ignatius's martyrdom began while still in chains, he is conscious that it is for more than his own salvation" (p.13-14).
I should also note how Ignatius witnessed to a "give-and-take" within the Communion of Saints, with all grace flowing from Christ Jesus, "Now pray for me as I need the love [emanating] from you in the mercy of God to make me worthy of the lot which I am set to obtain. Pray that I may not be found unapproved." And this truth extends beyond earth into the life of heaven, "My spirit makes you pure not only now but also when I attain to God" (Epistle to Polycarp).
St. Ignatius of Antioch, participant in the sufferings of Christ on behalf of the Church (Col.1:24), pray for us!
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