St. Polycarp of Smyrna

Homily for the Memorial of St. Polycarp

In most years, we would have started Lent before February 23rd. Consequently, the memorial of St. Polycarp would be relegated to a simple commemoration. Some see this as unfortunate because St. Polycarp occupies an important place in the history of the early Christian Church. He is among the earliest Christians whose writings have survived. His manuscript of an epistle to the Philippians is the oldest patristic document that we have. Jerome wrote that Polycarp was a "disciple of the apostle John and by him ordained presbyter of Smyrna". He was an elder of an important congregation that was a large contributor to the founding of the Christian Church. He is from an era whose orthodoxy is widely accepted by Eastern Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Church of God groups, Sabbatarian groups, mainstream Protestants and Catholics alike.

Irenaeus, who as a young man had heard Polycarp preach, described him as "a man who was of great weight, and a steadfast witness of truth. Polycarp lived in an age after the deaths of the apostles, when a variety of interpretations of the sayings of Jesus were being preached. His role was to authenticate orthodox teachings through his connection with the apostle John: "a high value was attached to the witness Polycarp could give as to the genuine tradition of old apostolic doctrine."

The Scriptures that are assigned for this Wednesday of the seventh week in Ordinary Time remind us all that we have been made part of the mission of Jesus, that we are called to conform ourselves to God’s will and to allow God to work through us in bringing the Good News to the world. St. Polycarp was part of the early missionary activity of the Church. He was ordained a presbyter and a bishop by the Twelve and sent to the Church of Smyrna, one of the seven Churches addressed in the Book of Revelation by John.

As we remember this early missionary in the history of the Church, let us pray for the continued preaching of the Good News of Our Lord Jesus in our own day and age, fulfilling God’s will in our own lives.t.