Now I begin to be a disciple. . . . Let fire and cross, flocks of beasts, broken bones, dismemberment, . . . come upon me, so long as I attain to Jesus Christ.
-- Ignatius of Antioch

I have an affinity for many of the early church fathers, Ignatius of Antioch being no exception. Like Polycarp, he lived closely to the time of Jesus, and it was (spuriously?) said of Ignatius that he was the child whom Jesus picked up and placed among his disciples. While I doubt the veracity of that legend, Ignatius would have been about the right age, since he was born somewhere between 30 and 35 A.D.

All indications are that he was martyred in Rome. I love his response to Christians who wanted to save him from martyrdom: "I fear your kindness, which may harm me." You see, Ignatius' wanted to die for his Lord. Like Peter who chose to be crucified upside down (because he did not think he was worthy to be crucified in the same manner as JESUS), Ignatius knew the glory that awaited him.

He was rightly called The Bearer of God. May we all attain to his level of devotion.