I was pondering upon the life of Polycarp, and as usual starting doing image searches since I’m fascinated with online media.
Clicking over to the various 
images of the martyrdom of Polycarp, it’s amazing to find the number of people who give such succinct, relative and insightful thoughts on the man, the meaning of his death, his ample Faith.
It was yet another one of those ‘What in the world can I say that hasn’t possibly been said?” type of moments. They come so often when I sit here to type away in my blog.
However, the description of Polycarp on the pyre is so profound: “he stood like a mighty ram, chosen out for sacrifice from a great flock, a worthy victim made ready to be offered to God.”
And ponder the amazing description of the flame as it encircled his body, “the flame became as it were a dome encircling the martyr’s body. Surrounded by the fire his body was like bread that is baked, or gold and silver white hot in the furnace, not like flesh that has been burnt.”
It sounds like a pretty gruesome way to go, yet somehow there was a beauty to it in his peacefulness. He did it in love of Jesus Christ, and to witness for us.
That’s amazing.
The Wisdom readings from Mass are also moving:
She walks with him as a stranger
and at first she puts him to the test;
Fear and dread she brings upon him
and tries him with her discipline
until she try him by her laws and trust his soul.
Then she comes back to bring him happiness
and reveal her secrets to them
and she will heap upon him
treasures of knowledge and an understanding of justice.
We are always tried by Wisdom, with the laws of Wisdom… worthy of contemplation.
Ponder the Laws of Wisdom; remember the intercession of the martyrs. Give witness to Jesus Christ.