Office Of Readings | Week 16, Tuesday, Ordinary Time | A Reading From The Letter Of Saint Ignatius Of Antioch To The Magnesians | Jesus Christ Within You

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Office Of Readings | Week 16, Tuesday, Ordinary Time | A Reading From The Letter Of Saint Ignatius Of Antioch To The Magnesians | Jesus Christ Within You

‘You have Jesus Christ within you.’

Historical And Personal Context

Saint Ignatius, bishop of Antioch in Syria, was one of the Apostolic Fathers—Church leaders who lived in the generation following the apostles. His letters were written on route to Rome under Roman guard, and they reflect the mind of a man facing imminent death with confidence and clarity. His impending martyrdom adds a striking authenticity to his call to steadfast faith, humility, and obedience.

In this passage, Saint Ignatius expresses his affection for the Magnesian Church and encourages them to remain united in their faith and obedient to Church leadership. His tone is both personal and urgent, revealing how closely early Christian communities were knit together in prayer and mutual support, and how deeply committed he was to defending orthodox belief.

Doctrinal Clarity And The Reality Of Christ’s Life And Death

One major concern of Ignatius throughout his letters is the defence of the reality of Christ’s incarnation, suffering, and resurrection. This reflects the Church’s need to respond to early heresies, particularly docetism, which claimed that Christ only appeared to suffer and did not have a true physical body.

Ignatius counters this by rooting his profession of faith in historical fact. He insists that Christ’s birth, passion, and resurrection truly occurred under Pontius Pilate. These were not illusions or symbols, but real events. This emphasis would later be enshrined in the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed as the Church formally defined its core beliefs.

Ignatius’s point is clear: if Christ’s suffering was not real, then neither is our salvation. Faith in the full humanity and full divinity of Christ is not optional—it is central to Christian identity.

The Relationship Between Judaism And Christianity

Ignatius also addresses the issue of Christians returning to Jewish law and customs, a concern shared by earlier writers like Saint Paul (cf. Galatians). At this stage in Church history, Christianity was still emerging from its Jewish roots, and debates continued over the observance of the Sabbath, dietary laws, and circumcision.

Ignatius’s statement—’it is absurd to profess Christ with the lips and at the same time to practice Judaism’—may seem stark to modern ears, but it must be understood in its context. He is not condemning Jewish people but warning Christians not to revert to practices that Christ had fulfilled. In his view, the old covenant has reached its completion in the new, and the life-giving grace of Christ has replaced the ritual law.

This reflects the early Church’s theological development: Christianity was not an extension of Judaism but its fulfilment and transformation through Jesus Christ. This realisation formed the basis for defining Christian identity apart from the synagogue, especially after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD.

Unity In The Church Through Structure And Obedience

A distinctive feature of Ignatius’s letters is his emphasis on ecclesial hierarchy—bishop, presbyters (elders/priests), and deacons. For Ignatius, unity in the Church depends on fidelity to this divinely ordered structure. He exhorts the Magnesians to obey their bishop as they would obey God, and to be in harmony with presbyters and deacons.

This emphasis reflects a crucial moment in Church history. The New Testament era showed a more fluid model of leadership—apostles, prophets, teachers—but by the early second century, local churches were solidifying around the authority of bishops. Ignatius is among the first to articulate this vision clearly: just as Christ was obedient to the Father, and the apostles to Christ, so too must Christians be obedient to their bishop as a visible sign of unity.

His concern is not power for its own sake, but protection from division and false teaching. As he puts it: ‘Let there be nothing in you which can divide you.’ For Ignatius, doctrinal truth and ecclesial unity are inseparable.

Spiritual Appeal

Finally, Ignatius’s tone is deeply pastoral. Though in chains, he encourages the Magnesians to be his ‘joy’, praising their humility and urging them to remain rooted in faith, love, and sound teaching. He encourages them to continue praying for the Church in Syria, which he considers himself ‘unworthy to be called’, again revealing his humility and heartfelt desire for unity across the Christian world.

He ends with warm greetings from the Church in Smyrna, including Polycarp, a fellow bishop and eventual martyr, strengthening the sense that early Christianity was a communion of communities, united in Christ and mutually supportive in prayer.

A Reading From The Letter Of Saint Ignatius Of Antioch To The Magnesians | Jesus Christ Within You

Let us not be insensible of Christ’s loving kindness. For if he had acted as we do, we would have been lost indeed. Therefore let us become his disciples and learn to live in the Christian way; those who are called by any other name are not of God. Cast out the evil leaven that has become old and sour, and replace it with the new leaven, which is Jesus Christ. He must be the salt of your lives, so that none of you may become corrupt, since it is by your wholesomeness that you will be judged. It is absurd to profess Christ with the lips and at the same time to practice Judaism; for Christianity did not develop into faith in Judaism, but Judaism into faith in Christianity. It was in this that men of every tongue believed and were brought together unto God.

I do not write this to you, my dear friends, because I have heard that any one of you is thus disaffected, but because, though I am a lesser man than yourselves, I would have you all guard against falling into the snares of false doctrine. Have a firm faith in the reality of the Lord’s birth, and passion and resurrection which took place when Pontius Pilate was procurator. All these deeds were truly and certainly accomplished by Jesus Christ, who is our hope; may none of you ever be turned away from him.

May you be my joy in all things, if I am worthy of it. For although I am in chains, I do not deserve to be compared with any of you who live in freedom. I know that you are not inflated with pride, for you have Jesus Christ within you. And I know that you blush when I praise you, as the Scripture says: The just man is his own accuser. Take care, then, to be firmly grounded in the teachings of the Lord and his apostles so that you may prosper in all your doings both in body and in soul, in faith and in love, in the Son, and in the Father and in the Spirit, in the beginning and in the end, along with your most worthy bishop and his spiritual crown, your presbyters, and with the deacons, who are men of God. Be obedient to the bishop and to one another, as Jesus Christ was in the flesh to the Father, and the apostles to Christ and to the Father and to the Spirit, so that there may be unity in flesh and in spirit.

I have exhorted you only briefly, for I am aware that you are filled with God. Remember me in your prayers, that I may attain to God. And remember the church in Syria, from which I am unworthy to be called. How I need your united prayer and love in God! Remember, then, the Church in Syria, that it may be strengthened through your prayers.

The Ephesians at Smyrna, where I write these lines, send their greetings. They have come together here like yourselves for the glory of God; they have consoled me in every way and so has Polycarp, their bishop. The other churches, too greet you for the glory of Jesus Christ. Farewell; may you bide in God’s harmony, possessing that undivided spirit which is Jesus Christ.

Prayer With Jesus Christ

Lord Jesus Christ,
True God and true man,
You lived among us in the flesh, suffered, and rose again to bring us life.
Help us to remain faithful to the truth of your incarnation,
To live as true disciples, not only in word but in deed.
Strengthen our unity with one another and with the leaders you have appointed in your Church.
Keep us rooted in your grace, free from falsehood, and obedient to your Spirit.
May we find our joy in you and be your joy in return.
We ask this in your holy name. Amen.

Glossary Of Christian Terms

Docetism – An early heresy claiming that Jesus only appeared to have a physical body and did not truly suffer or die.

Incarnation – The Christian belief that the Son of God became fully human in Jesus Christ while remaining fully divine.

Pontius Pilate – The Roman governor who presided over the trial of Jesus and authorised his crucifixion.

Sabbath – The Jewish day of rest (Saturday); in contrast, Christians gather on the Lord’s Day (Sunday), the day of Jesus’ resurrection.

Grace – God’s free and undeserved gift of love, favour, and help to humanity.

Apostolic Fathers – Early Christian writers (1st–2nd century) who had direct connections to the apostles or their teachings.

Bishop – A Church leader with oversight of a local Christian community; seen by Ignatius as a key figure for maintaining unity and teaching.

Presbyters – Also known as elders or priests; they assist the bishop in spiritual leadership.

Deacons – Ministers who assist with service and the practical needs of the Christian community.

False doctrine – Teaching that deviates from the apostolic faith handed down in the Church.

Unity in flesh and spirit – A phrase used by Ignatius to stress both external harmony (actions and Church life) and inner spiritual agreement.