Fr. Scott Haynes
In the long and illustrious line of the popes, St. Linus, whose feast is traditionally celebrated on September 23, stands as a crucial figure. As the immediate successor of St. Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, St. Linus was entrusted with the nascent Christian community at a time of great persecution and uncertainty. While his life remains shrouded in historical obscurity, early traditions, writings of the Church Fathers, and the Gospel virtues he lived out provide a powerful testament to his sanctity and leadership.
The Virtue of Humility
The first virtue that shines forth in the life of St. Linus is humility, a hallmark of Christian discipleship. In Matthew 23:12, Jesus teaches,
"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Linus exemplified this spirit, following in the footsteps of his predecessor, St. Peter, who himself had learned humility through his own frailties and failures. Though he was appointed to the highest office in the Church, Linus remained a servant of the servants of God. He ruled not with authority for its own sake but with the meekness that Christ demands of His followers.
In his Liber Pontificalis, an ancient compilation of papal biographies, Linus is noted for his fidelity to the teachings of the apostles and for serving the Church with great dedication. St. Irenaeus, in his work Adversus Haereses (Against Heresies), also records Linus as the one "whom the blessed Apostles placed over the Church of Rome," confirming his leadership as a humble steward chosen not for personal ambition but for the spiritual welfare of the flock.
St. Gregory the Great, reflecting on the nature of Christian leadership, wrote,
"He who is in authority should always act as if he were below those over whom he is placed, and in his heart prefer others to himself" (Homilies on the Gospel, 17.2).
Linus's humility in accepting the Petrine ministry, not as a position of power but as one of service, reflects this ideal.
The Virtue of Faithfulness
St. Linus also exemplified the virtue of faithfulness, a steadfast adherence to Christ and His Church in the face of external threats and internal difficulties. According to early Christian tradition, Linus governed the Church during a time of sporadic persecution under Emperor Nero, who was infamous for his brutal treatment of Christians. It was under Nero's regime that both St. Peter and St. Paul suffered martyrdom, and Linus would have inherited a Church that was shaken but resolute.
Scripture speaks to the necessity of faithfulness in the face of trials:
"Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10).
Linus, following in the apostolic footsteps, shepherded the Roman Church with fidelity to Christ’s teachings, despite the risks to his own life. His steadfastness calls to mind the words of St. Paul:
"It is required of stewards that they be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2).
Linus was indeed found faithful, ensuring that the Gospel message remained untainted and continued to flourish even in a hostile environment.
In his Ecclesiastical History, Eusebius of Caesarea speaks of Linus as "the first after Peter to receive the episcopate of the Roman Church," noting that he carried the apostolic deposit of faith with great care. His faithfulness not only preserved the teachings of the apostles but ensured their transmission to future generations, strengthening the unity of the early Christian community.
The Virtue of Courage
The courage of St. Linus, like that of the early martyrs, is another Gospel virtue that stands out in his life. While the historical record does not definitively confirm whether Linus himself died a martyr, the very act of assuming the role of bishop in such perilous times was an act of great courage. Linus knew that the Roman Church, under the gaze of an empire hostile to Christianity, needed a shepherd who would not flee in the face of danger but would lay down his life, if necessary, for his sheep.
In the Gospel of John, Christ declares,
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11).
This ideal, deeply ingrained in the apostolic tradition, was embraced by Linus as he led the Church with a readiness to suffer for the sake of Christ. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the mastery of it in the face of adversity. Linus, while perhaps knowing fear, embraced his role as bishop with the conviction that Christ would be with him always, even unto the end of the age (cf. Matthew 28:20).
St. Cyprian, reflecting on the nature of Christian courage in the face of persecution, wrote,
"No one can be strong in his own strength, but he is made strong by the grace and power of God" (Letter to Fortunatus, 1).
Linus's courage came not from human bravery but from divine grace, a courage that can only come from knowing Christ’s victory over sin and death.
The Virtue of Obedience
Obedience is another striking virtue in the life of St. Linus, and it flows directly from his humility and faithfulness. Just as Christ was "obedient unto death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:8), Linus submitted to the will of God by accepting his role as Peter's successor. This obedience was not to human authorities or societal pressures, but to the divine command to "feed my sheep" (John 21:17), as Christ instructed Peter.
The early Church Fathers understood obedience to be at the heart of Christian leadership. St. Ignatius of Antioch, writing to the Church of Rome, praised the obedience of its leaders to the will of God, stating,
"You never envy anyone; you taught others. And my desire is that those lessons should hold good now" (Letter to the Romans, 3).
Linus, in obedient submission to Christ’s mandate, led the Church with fidelity to the teachings of the apostles, and through his obedience, he ensured the unity and continuity of the faith.
Moreover, in taking on the Petrine ministry, Linus also exhibited obedience to the apostolic mandate to teach, sanctify, and govern the people of God. His obedience to this mission reflects the Gospel spirit of selfless service, as Christ Himself said,
"Whoever would be great among you must be your servant" (Mark 10:43).
The Virtue of Charity
St. Linus's life would not be complete without a reflection on his charity, the greatest of all virtues. As Pope, Linus inherited the responsibility of caring for the spiritual and material needs of the Christian community in Rome, many of whom were marginalized, persecuted, and impoverished. The Liber Pontificalis suggests that Linus contributed significantly to the ordering of the Church’s liturgical life, ensuring that the faithful could gather for the Eucharist and receive the sacraments. This pastoral care was an expression of his deep love for the flock entrusted to him.
The virtue of charity is central to the Gospel, as St. Paul reminds us:
"If I have not love, I am nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:2).
Linus’s love for the Church was manifest in his dedication to the care of souls, his efforts to preserve unity in the midst of trials, and his willingness to place the needs of others above his own. His charity was not merely a sentiment but an active expression of Christ’s love, extended through his leadership to the early Christian community.
The Legacy of St. Linus
St. Linus’s legacy endures, not only in the annals of Church history but in the living tradition of the faith. His humility, faithfulness, courage, obedience, and charity serve as enduring examples of Gospel virtues. Though little is written about him, what we do know points to a life fully conformed to Christ. As the second pope, he stands at the head of the long line of successors to Peter, ensuring that the Church, founded upon the rock of faith, would continue to stand strong against the gates of hell (cf. Matthew 16:18).
Pope Benedict XVI, in reflecting on the role of the early popes, stated,
"The Church is a living reality, and the office of Peter continues to play a unique role in its service, always calling us back to the purity of the Gospel and the foundation of our faith" (General Audience, June 7, 2006).
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