2/23/11 cblog POLYCARP in the FIRE DIDN'T BURN, but SWEET INCENSE was SMELLED (=PRAYERS)

2/23/11 cblog POLYCARP in the FIRE DIDN'T BURN, but the SWEET SMELL OF INCENSE AROSE (=PRAYERS);
holy trinity [fr harrigan] Ignatius was a disciple of polycarp..all in asia minor..john living w/ blessed mother. In ephesus..now turkey..poly converted...lived w/ john & mary.. was ordained sent to smyrna ..persecution at time..john...polycarp ws martyred. Sem prof said..if called to be a martyr..don't worry..god will give u the grace to sustain u..they built a fire..post in middle..nailed to it..age 86..poly said u don't need to nail me..so they indulged him ..but flames didn't burn him...dome around his body..baked him..first tanning booth..ever ha ha [is a joke really appropriate ?] ..like baking..but they smelled incense..which r the prayers of people going up..& demons can't stand incense ..he trained ignatius of antioch ..ignatius wrote letters..he got dragged in cage ..then threw him to lions..ignatius encouraging him ..free me & save me..he wanted to be gtound up like perf sac..and so it was..beautiful thing..we have a great priv..in cath church..go back to ..aapostolic succession..I will buold mt church on u..he breathed on apostles..caesrea philippi..huge rock..fountain..cave ..jagged cave..like a mouth..did pagan sacrifice here..shrine in ruin where Jesus went..standing in front of this he said to peter..u r rock..upon u I build church..so Jesus is saying this in front .to all other disciples..on night of rssrctn...I give to u all authety and power..bound bound loose loosed ..arian was one of those who broke succession..& died divinity of christ..said there was a time when jesus was not..that he was created..arian thought he knew better..terrible heresy ..but eventually..got together & refuted arianism ..2nd we learned from polycarp...said were all going to suffer..pire fire..maye not..but others..efgypt yes...baghdad yes..we suffer in other ways..say we r crazy for following pope..we may have to stand up for somethinng...hharder martyrdom..slow ..over years ..john paul 2 said..Jesus took man complaining abt sizre of cross..6 yo in egypt who was killing his family..he kept saying enough enough..then shot the kid...

Sir 4:11-19 "Wisdom breathes life into her children and admonishes those who seek her. He who loves her loves life those who seek her will be embraced by the Lord He who holds her fast inherits glory; wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings Those who serve her serve the Holy One; those who love her the LORD loves. He who obeys her judges nations he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers. If one trusts her, he will possess her; his descendants too will inherit her. She walks with him as a stranger and at first she puts him to the test; Fear and dread she brings upon him and tries him with her discipline until she try him by her laws and trust his soul. Then she comes back to bring him happiness and reveal her secrets to them and she will heap upon him treasures of knowledge and an understanding of justice. But if he fails her, she will abandon him and deliver him into the hands of despoilers

Ps 119:165, 168, 171, 17 R. (165a) O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.

reat peace have they who love your law. I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight. R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law. Let my soul live to praise you, and may your ordinances help me. R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.

Mark 9.38-40
"John said to Jesus,“Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us, is for us"