(d.c.79) Apollinaris was a spiritual student of Saint Peter, may have been one of the seventy[-two] disciples commissioned by Jesus (Luke 10:1-12), and was the first bishop of Ravenna, Italy. He was a known miracle worker who gained several converts to the new Christian faith. Under the persecutions of Emperor Vespasian, he was tortured and martyred or, as the Roman Martyrology puts it, “he migrated to the eternal banquet.”

The witness of Saint Appolinaris demonstrates radical perseverance and humility, sharing truth even in the face of torture and death. Honesty, a pursuit of truth, can be terrifying. Facing our own demons is no small matter. We attempt to do this fearlessly in our Step 4 and share that with God and another person in Step 5. Taking inspiration from Saint Apollinarius, don’t give up before the miracle happens, even when it is uncomfortable.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4).

Reflection by Brad Farmer