The
prince of this world is determined to lay hold of me and to undermine
my will which is intent on God. Let none of you here help him;
instead show yourselves on my side, which is also God's side. Believe
instead what I am now writing to you. For though I am alive as I
write to you, still my real desire is to die. My love of this life
has been crucified, and there is no yearning in me for any earthly
thing. Rather within me is the living water which says deep inside
me: "Come to the Father." I no longer take pleasure in
perishable food or in the delights of this world I want only God's
bread, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, formed from the seed of
David, and for drink I crave his blood, which is love that cannot
perish.
Pray
for me that I may obtain my desire. I have not written to you as a
mere man would, but as one who knows the mind of God.
--
Saint Ignatius of Antioch from
his letter to the Romans
