June 28, 2017 - St. Irenaeus - Faithful in season and out of season

Stained glass window of Saint Irenaeus | Église Saint-Irénée, France

Yesterday, the Church honored one of the great 5th century defenders of the faith, St. Cyril of Alexandria, who championed the motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Council of Ephesus.

Today, the Church honors a defender of the faith from nearly 300 years prior. St. Cyril, lived in a time, when Christianity had become legalized. In fact, the Council of Ephesus, in 421 at which he presided was convened at the bequest of the Roman Emperor, Theodosius II, who was concerned about the theological divisions within his Empire.

St. Irenaeus, did not have the benefit of Imperial patronage. In fact, the Empire was still quite hostile to Christianity. St. Ireneus defended the faith against the Gnostic Heretics, and called Christians to faithfulness amidst the pagan debaucheries that persisted in those days.

St. Irenaeus was a bishop of Lyons, when in the year 202, under Emperor Septimus Severus issued an imperial decree calling for the murder of Christians. When under the shepherding of Bishop Irenaeus, the Christians refused to participate in the debaucheries which accompanied a certain pagan festival, assassins armed with daggers, stones and knives filled the city murdered thousands of Christians, with their 80 year old bishop, Irenaeus.

In two days, we've had a “white martyr”, Cyril, who confessed and taught the true faith in a time of peace, and today, a “red martyr” who witnessed to the faith through his many writings, but also with his life.

St. Paul writes to Timothy “to preach the word in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.” We see these two bishops, separated by three centuries, being faithful to St. Paul’s injunction to the bishop Timothy.

The Lord Jesus in the Gospel warns his church against false prophets, wolves in sheep’s clothing, trees that bear rotten fruit. Well, we are certainly thankful for those men and women who bore good fruit for the sake of the kingdom, who suffered that the true faith would persevere through the centuries.

Today concludes three weeks of reading through the Sermon on the Mount. We Jesus’ instruction lived out in lives of the saints, their faithfulness, their commitment to the truth, their willingness to suffer for Christ. May the Saints aid us in striving to be faithful to all the Lord teaches and commands, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That our bishops and clergy may be zealous in preaching and teaching the truth of the Gospel, and that our future bishop of the diocese of Cleveland may be a man of true faith and the Holy Spirit.

That this fortnight of prayer for religious freedom may help people of faith remain vigilant in defending their religious liberty and united in making their voice heard on behalf of the rights of the Church.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life, for the sanctification of marriages, and for increased commitment on behalf of all the faithful to the works of mercy and the evangelizing mission.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.