Homily for the Memorial of Saint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr

“Following Jesus” sounds very romantic and holy. However, following Jesus may be a difficult journey at times. If you choose to wholeheartedly follow Jesus, most likely you also will experience rejection or perhaps even hate. Jesus clearly was countercultural in his society. Are you willing to follow Jesus rather than the “crowd?” Are you prepared to truly be countercultural in your beliefs and choices? Are you willing to deal with anger, rejection or alienation if you make choices to do what is truly loving and kind? Do you trust Jesus to walk with you, strengthen and grace you?

The “world” is not an easy place to live. Each day we have the opportunity to make a variety of choices. Today will you choose to follow the crowd and simply do what is expected of you? Or will you choose to follow Jesus and act as Jesus would act? Only you can choose. What will you do?