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May 19, 2009

Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna

I would like to share a letter in this blog post, not from me, but from our Apostolic Fathers; commonly known as the Martyrdom of Polycarp. Although the author of this letter is unknown, it was recorded by Eusebius, who claims to have received it through a letter addressed to the Church of Philemelium by the Church of Smyrna. The work details Polycarp's death at the age of 86, martyred under the hand of the Roman empire, possibly under the reign of Marcus Aurelius (121-180 C.E.).

Polycarp resided in Asia Minor as bishop of Smyrna, a disciple of the apostles, in particular John the Apostle. Together with Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp is recognized as one of three chief Apostolic Fathers. The sole surviving work by Polycarp is the infamous Letter to the Philippians, which Irenaeus of lyons – the one who recorded it -- describes it as “powerful” (Adv. Haer., III.3.4.).

Because the letter is quite lengthy, I will be only sharing chapter 13 to chapter 17. I do hope, as our Apostolic Fathers did, that we “might become his imitators, ‘not thinking of ourselves alone, but also of our neighbours.’ For it is the mark of true and steadfast love, not to wish that oneself may be saved alone, but all the brethren also.”

CHAPTER 13

The preparations for burning him

1 These things then happened with so great speed, quicker than it takes to tell, and the crowd came together immediately, and prepared wood and faggots from the work-shops and baths and the Jews were extremely zealous, as is their custom, in assisting at this. 2 Now when the fire was ready he put off all his clothes, and loosened his girdle and tried also to take off his shoes, though he did not do this before, because each of the faithful was always zealous, which of them might the more quickly touch his flesh. For he had been treated with all respect because of his noble life, even before his martyrdom. 3 Immediately therefore, he was fastened to the instruments which had been prepared for the fire, but when they were going to nail him as well he said: "Leave me thus, for He who gives me power to endure the fire, will grant me to remain in the flames unmoved even without the security you will give by the nails."

CHAPTER 14

His last prayers

1 So they did not nail him, but bound him, and he put his hands behind him and was bound, as a noble ram out of a great flock, for an oblation, a whole burnt offering made ready and acceptable to God; and he looked up to heaven and said: "O Lord God Almighty, Father of thy beloved and blessed Child, Jesus Christ, through Whom we have received full knowledge of thee, the God of Angels and powers, and of all creation, and of the whole family of the righteous, who live before thee! 2 I bless thee, that Thou hast granted me this day and hour, that I may share, among the number of the martyrs, in the cup of thy Christ, for the Resurrection to everlasting life, both of soul and body in the immortality of the Holy Spirit. And may I, to-day, be received among them before Thee, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, as Thou, the God who lies not and is truth, hast prepared beforehand, and shown forth, and fulfilled. 3 For this reason I also praise Thee for all things, I bless Thee, I glorify Thee through the everlasting and heavenly high Priest, Jesus Christ, thy beloved Child, through whom be glory to Thee with him and the Holy Spirit, both now and for the ages that are to come, Amen."

CHAPTER 15

The fire is lighted

1 Now when he had uttered his Amen and finished his prayer, the men in charge of the fire lit it, and a great flame blazed up and we, to whom it was given to see, saw a marvel. And we have been preserved to report to others what befell. 2 For the fire made the likeness of a room, like the sail of a vessel filled with wind, and surrounded the body of the martyr as with a wall, and he was within it not as burning flesh, but as bread that is being baked, or as gold and silver being refined in a furnace. And we perceived such a fragrant smell as the scent of incense or other costly spices.

CHAPTER 16

Polycarp's death

1 At length the lawless men, seeing that his body could not be consumed by the fire, commanded an executioner to go up and stab him with a dagger, and when he did this, there came out a dove, and much blood, so that the fire was quenched and all the crowd marvelled that there was such a difference between the unbelievers and the elect. 2 And of the elect was he indeed one, the wonderful martyr, Polycarp, who in our days was an apostolic and prophetic teacher, bishop of the Catholic Church in Smyrna. For every word which he uttered from his mouth both was fulfilled and will be fulfilled.

CHAPTER 17

The treatment of the corpse

1 But the jealous and envious evil one who resists the family of the righteous, when he saw the greatness of his martyrdom, and his blameless career from the beginning, and that he was crowned with the crown of immortality, and had carried off the unspeakable prize, took care that not even his poor body should be taken away by us, though many desired to do so, and to have fellowship with his holy flesh. 2 Therefore he put forward Niketas, the father of Herod, and the brother of Alce, to ask the Governor not to give his body, "Lest," he said, "they leave the crucified one and begin to worship this man." And they said this owing to the suggestions and pressure of the Jews, who also watched when we were going to take it from the fire, for they do not know that we shall not ever be able either to abandon Christ, who suffered for the salvation of those who are being saved in the whole world, the innocent for sinners, or to worship any other. 3 For him we worship as the Son of God, but the martyrs we love as disciples and imitators of the Lord; and rightly, because of their unsurpassable affection toward their own King and Teacher. God grant that we too may be their companions and fellow-disciples.

Apostolic Fathers, Kirsopp Lake, 1912 (Loeb Classical Library)

May 11, 2009

Refuge

O Lord, Whose power is infinite and wisdom infallible, order things that they may neither hinder, nor discourage me,  nor prove obstacles to the progress of Thy cause. Stand between me and all strife, that no evil befall,  no sin corrupt my gifts, zeal, attainments. May I follow duty and not any foolish device of my own. Permit me not to labour at work which Thou wilt not bless, that I may serve thee without disgrace or debt. Let me dwell in Thy most secret place under thy shadow, where is safe impenetrable protection from  the arrow that flieth by day, the pestilence that walketh in darkness, the strife of tongues, the malice of ill-will, the hurt of unkind talk, the snares of company, the perils of youth, the temptations of middle life, the moumings of old age, the fear of death. I am entirely dependent upon Thee for support, counsel, consolation. Uphold me by Thy free Spirit, and may I not think it enough to be preserved from falling, but may I always go forward, always abounding in the work Thou givest me to do. Strengthen me by Thy Spirit in my inner self for every purpose of my Christian life. All my jewels I give to the shadow of the safety that is in Thee—my name anew in Christ, my body , soul, talents, character, my success, wife, children, friends, work, my present, my future, my end. Take them, they are Thine, and I am thine, now and for ever.

Bennett, Arthur G. The Valley of Vision A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Carlisle: Banner of Truth, 2003.

*also available online*

May 1, 2009

Lecrae

Back in circa 1998, I was quite influenced by hip-hop artists such as Cypress Hill, Mos Def, De La Soul, Eminem etc. As the years progressed, my inclination in music gradually shifted to something more vile (haha). A few days ago, I came across a Christian reformed hip-hop artist Lecrae who gave me a fresh re-introduction to this sub-culture; I see great potentials in this man.

“that's why it's Christ in my rhymes That's why it's Christ all the time. My whole world is built around him He's the life in my lines. I refused to waste my life he's too true ta chase that ice. Here’s my gifts and time cause I'm constantly trying to be used to praise the Christ. If he's truly raised to life then this news should change your life
and by his grace you can put your faith in place that rules your days and nights” – Lecrae, from the album Rebel