Today in the book In Caelo et in Terra, we read about St Polycarp. His name always makes me think of many fish. But it actually means "much fruit", which is what came from his life.
He was Bishop of Smyrna around 155AD, and he had been a disciple of St John. He was arrested by the Roman soldiers, who waited for him to pray before they placed him under arrest because he was such a kind man and was respected by everyone. He prayed for two hours. Then they took him to the emperor, who asked him to denounce the "atheists", referring to Christians, because Christians denied the Roman gods. Polycarp was clearly calm and cheerful because he made a joke at this point. He pointed to the crowd of Roman citizens, eager for the blood they'd soon see in the colosseum, and said, "Down with the atheists."
He was then given the chance to recant his faith, and he famously said, "Eighty Six years have I served Him, and He has never wronged me. How can I then blaspheme my Savior and my King?" They then burned him alive. But according to the very first martyr story we have, he wasn't burnt in the fire. Read here for the details, but he looked more like a golden baked loaf of bread than a scorched, burnt person in the flames. Then they stabbed him and there was so much blood that it put out the flames.
You'll notice that many of the saints we study were martyrs. That's a pretty sure fire way to become a saint - and to go directly to heaven. Just pray that if that time comes for me and you, that God will give us the strength not to deny our faith in the face of pain.
God, thanks for the wonderful, miraculous example of this precious saint. St Polycarp, pray for us.
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