Be One

Apr 17, 2020

Antonius Pius, was emperor of Rome from 139 to 161 AD.  Polycarp, who was a disciple of St. John the Apostle occupies a very important place in the history of the early Church. His writings have survived from that era and he may have been responsible for completing, editing, as well as, publishing the New Testament.  He was martyred in 155 AD. Marcus Aurelius became emperor in 161 AD. Was he  influenced by Polycarp?  The Philosophical Emperor did say: “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.”

So how does a man live?  Joseph B. Fuiten writes about the space that exists on every tombstone between the year-of-birth and the Year-of-death. You know the space I’m talking about, it’s symbolized by a “dash”.  “The content of our “dash” varies.  But in the end, the workmen still chisel only a dash.  It reminds us of the stark truth: Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people…” 

When Polycarp was being led to the place that he would be burned to death he, as well as, many of his followers heard a “loud voice” above the crowd saying: “Be strong Polycarp and play the man.” 

The Romans actually pleaded with him to deny Jesus and be saved from the fiery-flames! Polycarp spoke for the ages: “Fourscore and six years have I served Him, and He has done me no harm. How then can I curse my King that saved me!”  When the fires became a blazing inferno, Polycarp did not burn!  A soldier had to take a spear and stab him before the crowd lost control. His blood extinguished the fires. 

I don’t have any evidence that Marcus Aurelius was influenced by Polycarp, but he did say: “Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one!”  I hope you’re working on your “dash” today, you’ve gotta make life happen.  Ain’t it so!

Give us a call. Get involved.
There’s an adventure out there to live!

More Grinds & Grit Posts

The Tunnel

The Tunnel

 Sometimes the holiday season can seem like you’re on an escalator moving down a long corridor that starts slow and before you know it, you feel like you’re on Mr. Toads wild ride! Just prior to the beginning of advent the escalator stops briefly on “Thanksgiving.”...

read more
Boo Who!

Boo Who!

Halloween has just ended, so has All Saints Day and All Souls day will conclude today.  However, tomorrow there will still be a lot of “boo who’s” still being said, as the Election in America takes place. I hope that we “Vote” for “Life and for the Economy” if we...

read more
Belgian Waffle

Belgian Waffle

Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that removed the artwork of the Belgian born, Fr. Pierre De Smet, S.J.  Pulling down statues has been around for a long time. Destroying monuments of a tolerant past in order to achieve a future of violence and...

read more