(d.235) Pontian was born in Rome and elected the 18th Pope in 230. Hippolytus was a priest, possibly a bishop, who may have been a student of Saint Irenaeus. Some sources cite Hippolytus as a claimant to be bishop of Rome, making him an antipope, but he was reconciled with the Church under Pope Pontian. Both were arrested in a persecution aimed at Church leaders under Emperor Maximinus Thrax and sentenced to work the mines on the island of Sardinia, where they died as martyrs.

It would take the very rare and very disturbed individual to pursue heresy or cause schism simply for the hatred of truth. Disagreements arise when individuals seek some perceived happiness that may be in conflict with the truth. In recovery, we cannot take the risk of placing a perceived pleasure or fleeting happiness ahead of what is true. It took fortitude for Saint Hippolytus to reconcile with Saint Pontian and make a sort of amends. Are you being called to do the same today?

Saint Pontian and Saint Hippolytus, pray for us, that we can find reconciliation in pursuit of truth, and that we can have the fortitude to make a stand for what is true. Amen.

Reflection by Brad Farmer