Pope Francis named our Saint of the Day a Doctor of the Church in 2022. đź“–
June 28, 2024
Hello John,
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As we read about the life of St. Irenaeus and his significant impact on the early Church, it's evident that his unwavering dedication to apostolic teaching and his tireless efforts to combat the influence of Gnosticism continue to inspire and guide Christians to this day. St. Irenaeus' commitment to defending the faith serves as a reminder for us to remain steadfast in our beliefs. It's inspiring to learn about his contributions to theology and the impact of his work in subsequent times.
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The Church is fortunate that Irenaeus was involved in many of its controversies in the second century. He was a student, well trained no doubt, with great patience in investigating, tremendously protective of apostolic teaching, but prompted more by a desire to win over his opponents than to prove them in error.
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As bishop of Lyons he was especially concerned with the Gnostics, who took their name from the Greek word for “knowledge.” Claiming access to secret knowledge imparted by Jesus to only a few disciples, their teaching was attracting and confusing many Christians. After thoroughly investigating the various Gnostic sects and their “secret,” Irenaeus showed to what logical conclusions their tenets led. These he contrasted with the teaching of the apostles and the text of Holy Scripture, giving us, in five books, a system of theology of great importance to subsequent times. Moreover, his work, widely used and translated into Latin and Armenian, gradually ended the influence of the Gnostics.
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The circumstances and details about his death, like those of his birth and early life in Asia Minor, are not at all clear. However in 2022, Pope Francis named Saint Irenaeus a Doctor of the Church.
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Reflection
A deep and genuine concern for other people will remind us that the discovery of truth is not to be a victory for some and a defeat for others. Unless all can claim a share in that victory, truth itself will continue to be rejected by the losers, because it will be regarded as inseparable from the yoke of defeat. And so, confrontation, controversy and the like might yield to a genuine united search for God’s truth and how it can best be served.
Join Franciscan Media on a transformative journey as we launch a 28-day meditation series,
We take for granted that anyone who sees us as we are (unlovely, weak, pathological, sinful, insubstantial) will, in the end, be as disappointed with us as we are with ourselves. We fear God because we’ve never experienced the kind of love that is manifest in God. We avoid God when we’re most in need of love and acceptance. God is love, and only by letting that love into our lives can we save ourselves from shame and sadness. God understands us, accepts us, delights in us, and is eager to smile at us. Experiencing the unconditional love of God is what prayer, in the end, is all about.
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Remember: your heart is made to rest in God. If Saint Augustine is right—and he is—then you can count on your restlessness to lead you into deeper prayer—the kind of prayer that leads to transformation and will not leave you empty-handed.
The shared responsibility of our common home is one that is in dire need of attention. We are seeing the ramifications of pollution, destruction of natural resources, and global warming are doing to the planet. The choices we make have an impact on the planet and affect the poor around the globe. May we take the time to consider both our personal and communal action toward the preservation of the environment.
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Pray
God of all creation, Inspire us with wisdom and understanding to help us be better stewards of the planet. May we never forget that the environment is home to all life and that it is our collective responsibility to care and sustain it. Help us to advocate and work for lasting change for the common good of all people. We ask this in all the holy names of God. Amen.
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Act
What are some tangible, small steps you can take for your part in the shared responsibility of caring for the environment?
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Today's Pause+Pray was written by Patricia Breen. Learn more here!
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