SAINT POLYCARP=THE CONNECTING SAINT

SAINT POLYCARP=THE CONNECTING SAINT Outside of the original apostles And Saints The MOST important Saint Might be Saint Polycarp He was a second-century bishop of Smyrna (Modern-day Turkey) Who wrote in his letter to the Philippians: “Stand fast-therefore- In this conduct-and follow the EXAMPLE of the Lord …..... HELPING each other in the mildness of the Lord- Despising mo man” I call him a CONNECTING Saint Because he was a strong link- A connecting link Between the teaching of the apostles And the FULLY documented theology Of Saint Irenaeus at Lyons In the year 200 PRAISE BE to the SAINTS Those CONNECTORS-those teachers Those martyrs of yesteryear PRAISE BE TO THE SAINTS “Then Jesus spoke to the crowds And to his disciples '…..... Do NOT FOLLOW their example For they preach-but do not practice” Matthew 23:1, 3 (Jesus speaking about the teachers Of the law-and the Pharisees- who he REFERRED to as hypocrites) No-we are to FOLLOW The example of the SAINTS Speaking of Saint Polycarp-Saint Irenaeus says: “........so that I can tell Even the place Where the BLESSED Polycarp Sat and talked........ His features-the discourses Which he gave to the multitudes And how he reported His LIVING with John And the rest of the Apostles Who had seen the Lord And how he REMEMBERED their words And what the things were Which he heard from them About the Lord And about the MIRACLES And about his teaching How POLYCARP RECEIVED them From EYEWITNESSES of 'WORD OF LIFE' And PROCLAIMED them ALL in harmony with the SCRIPTURES” Saint Polycarp=THE CONNECTING SAINT The closest thing we have To a LIVING EYEWITNESSES To the Lord We are to FOLLOW SAINTS Like Saint Polycarp-not the scribes And the Phharisees Saint Polycarp died a martyr In the year 166- WHEN he was pierced with a sword AFTER the fire did not consume him Dear Lord-WE PRAY for THE CHRISTIAN FAITH Of Saint Polycarp-and other SAINTS May we FOLLOW THEIR EXAMPLE As they have shown us the way May we too FIND their STRENGTH AND COURAGE And live a life Of CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY AND COURAGE Today-February-23-2016 Is the feast day of Saint Polycarp Robert P. Wallman February 22nd, 2016 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Judy Schueneman