Gospel in Art: Saint Ignatius of Antioch

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, by Cesare Fracanzano, 1640 © Galleria Borghese, Rome

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 17 October 2023
Luke 11:37-41

Jesus had just finished speaking when a Pharisee invited him to dine at his house. He went in and sat down at the table. The Pharisee saw this and was surprised that he had not first washed before the meal. But the Lord said to him: 'Oh, you Pharisees! You clean the outside of cup and plate, while inside yourselves you are filled with extortion and wickedness. Fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside too? Instead, give alms from what you have and then indeed everything will be clean for you.'

Reflection on the painting

Today we celebrate the early Church Father, Bishop, and martyr Saint Ignatius of Antioch. Born in Syria in the middle of the 1st century, Ignatius is said to have been personally instructed (along with another future martyr, Saint Polycarp) by the Apostle Saint John. When Ignatius became the Bishop of Antioch around the year 70, he assumed leadership of a local church that was, according to tradition, first led by Saint Peter before his move to Rome. Located in present-day Turkey, Antioch was one of the main cities of the Roman Empire. It was also the place where the believers in Jesus' teachings and his resurrection were first called 'Christians'.

Ignatius' letters passionately talk about the importance of Church unity, the dangers of heresy, and the importance of the Eucharist as the 'medicine of immortality'. His writings contain the first surviving written description of the Church as "Catholic," from the Greek word indicating both universality and fullness.

About his impending martyrdom he wrote: "Now I begin to be a disciple. Let fire and the cross; let the crowds of wild beasts; let tearings, breakings, and dislocations of bones; let cutting off of members; let shatterings of the whole body; and let all the dreadful torments of the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christ."

St. Ignatius of Antioch bore witness to Christ publicly for the last time in Rome's Flavian Amphitheater, where is was mauled to death by lions. We see this moment depicted in our painting by Neapolitan artist Cesare Fracanzano (1605-1651). The artists captures the horrific moment, yet Ignatius is casting his eyes towards heaven, filled with faith and resolve.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-11-37-41-2023/