Episode 2893: A Call to Courage and Love - Morning Episode

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A Call to Courage and Love
Introduction
Welcome, dear listeners, to another episode where we delve into the richness of our traditional Catholic faith. Today, we honor the feast of St. Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr, celebrated on January 26th in the Traditional Catholic Calendar. A disciple of St. John the Apostle and an early defender of the faith, St. Polycarp's life exemplifies unwavering courage, steadfastness, and love for Christ even in the face of death.
Segment 1: The Courage of St. Polycarp
St. Polycarp is one of the most inspiring figures of the early Church, not just for his leadership as Bishop of Smyrna but for the courage he displayed during his martyrdom. When confronted with the demand to renounce Christ, he boldly declared:
"Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and Savior?"
What a testimony of faith! His words remind us that fidelity to Christ transcends even the fear of death. In today’s Gospel (Matthew 10:26-32), Our Lord exhorts us:
"Fear ye not them that kill the body and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him that can destroy both soul and body in hell."
St. Polycarp lived these words to their fullest. He faced persecution not with despair but with confidence in the promises of Christ, trusting in God’s providence.
Segment 2: The Strength of the Anvil
St. Polycarp’s strength was rooted in his relationship with Christ and his formation under the Apostles. This strength was described beautifully by St. Ignatius of Antioch, who wrote to Polycarp:
"Stand firm, as an anvil under the hammer. It is the mark of a true athlete to endure blows and to conquer."
This imagery of the anvil is particularly striking. Just as the anvil withstands repeated blows without being shattered, so too must we stand firm under the trials and tribulations of life, allowing Christ to forge us into saints.
St. Polycarp’s martyrdom invites us to examine our own lives. Are we prepared to endure suffering for the sake of Christ? Are we willing to proclaim Him boldly, as He commands in the Gospel:
"That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light: and that which you hear in the ear, preach ye upon the housetops."
Segment 3: Love Unto Death
The Epistle for this feast, 1 John 3:10-16, calls us to a love that mirrors Christ’s own sacrificial love:
"In this we have known the charity of God: because He hath laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."
St. Polycarp’s martyrdom was not merely an act of courage but also a supreme act of love. He loved Christ so deeply that he was willing to lay down his life for Him. This love extends to his care for the flock entrusted to him.
As Catholics today, we are called to emulate this love by sacrificing for others, defending the truth, and standing firm in our faith. In a world that often mocks and opposes Christ, we must respond with the same charity and courage that St. Polycarp displayed.
Conclusion and Prayer
St. Polycarp’s witness challenges us to embrace the Gospel fully, to love Christ above all, and to fearlessly proclaim His name. His martyrdom reminds us that true life is found not in clinging to the things of this world but in surrendering ourselves entirely to God’s will.
Let us conclude with a prayer inspired by the example of this great saint:
"Almighty and eternal God, who didst strengthen Thy servant Polycarp to bear witness to the truth of Thy Son, even unto death, grant us, we beseech Thee, the grace to stand firm in our faith amidst the trials of this life. May we, like St. Polycarp, be fearless in proclaiming Thy holy name and steadfast in our love for Thee. Through the intercession of St. Polycarp, may we persevere in charity and truth, so that, at the end of our earthly journey, we may be found worthy to share in the glory of Thy saints in heaven. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen."
Thank you for joining us today. Let us take inspiration from St. Polycarp’s life and strive to live with the same courage, fidelity, and love for Christ. Until next time, may God bless you and keep you steadfast in His grace.