Dulpa, 2 reflection St. PolyCarp

During the two sessions of class our classmates having a report about the life of a Christian martyrs who really made a great impact in our Christianity and church history. One martyr that inspired me a lot was an old man who is 86 years old and probably the last surviving person having been a disciple of St. John, no other than the bishop church of Smyrna St. Polycarp. 

I was touched and inspired by his dedication to God.  He was a teacher and church leader who modeled us of not compromising in this world practices; he hated the heresy and love God so much, he followed the pattern of Christ’s in spite he was betrayed by the young men, he was arrested; he was sentenced to be burned because of his faith, and during those days he could have escaped but he refused saying, “God’s will be done.” He was still calm and steadfast, even though he was surrounded by the enemies, he still prayed to God for the people and the church for 2 hours, and one phrase that touched my heart when he was about to give the speech to deny Christ and he will be set free but his answered captured the attention of the listener "Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He never did me wrong; how can I blaspheme my King and Savior?"

 It was a great testimony of Polycarp’s life that he never denied his faith in front of the many witnesses instead he was boasting about God’s goodness in his life. His death is worth knowing that his life is owned by God.  I learned that the spread of Christianity was costly and it takes some courage and perseverance to bring the good news about Jesus to everyone who doesn’t know, and it cost your life when you follow Jesus. The life of Polycarp is a testimony of faith; he never retreat nor surrender in spite of all pressures and persecution, and in his death; he still make known the name of God to his enemies that God is faithful and Jesus is his Savior. If we love Jesus Christ, we shall love the Church and hate heresy, which rends His mystical body, and destroys the souls for which He died. Like St. Polycarp, we shall maintain our constancy in the faith by loving Jesus Christ, Who is its author and its finisher.