Hostage Exchange

 

This is the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pizzaballa, offering to take the place of Hamas' hostages.  This morning I was reading a letter St. Ignatius of Antioch wrote around 100 AD.  This hostage exchange was in my mind as I read Ignatius telling the early Christians not to rescue him, but rather pray for him.

I am writing to all the churches to let it be known that I will gladly die for God if only you do not stand in my way.  I plead with you: show me me no untimely kindness.  Let me be food for the wild beasts, for they are my way to God....