Homily: June 28 - St. Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr - Champion in the fight for truth

Without a doubt, St. Irenaeus is one of the greatest theologians of the early Church.  St Irenaeus was a disciple of St. Polycarp, who himself heard St. John the Apostle preach. 

Listen again to the Opening Prayer: O God, who called the Bishop Saint Irenaeus to confirm true doctrine and the peace of the Church, grant, we pray, through his intercession, that, being renewed in faith and charity, we may always be intent of fostering unity and concord.

Irenaeus was called to uphold the truth of Christ that comes to us from the Apostles in the face of many controversies in the second century, most notably the Gnostics.  Gnosticism was really the first major heresy the Church had to confront. 

The word ‘gnostic’ comes from the greek word for knowledge, as in the word cognizant.  The Gnostics claimed to have secret knowledge of God that was superior to the Apostles and they looked down on anyone who did not believe or act the way they did.  In other words, they thought they knew better than the Church. 

Bishop Irenaeus preached and taught and wrote against the gnostics of his day, but that old heresy has shown its face in every age of the Church.  How many times have you heard the following:  “Jesus doesn’t really care if I go to Church every week.”  “I don’t need to confess my sins to a priest.”  “Jesus doesn’t mind if I live with my girlfriend or we use contraception, we’ve prayed about it.”

Irenaeus defended that the Christian Faith isn’t about coming to secret knowledge. It’s about obedience to what is taught by the Apostles. 

When the Church teaches on matters of faith and morals, she is teaching with the authority given to her by the Lord Jesus, she speaks and teaches in his name the truth necessary for our salvation.

Our Christian faith isn’t about these small private revelations that let us break the commandments as long as we pray about it.  And the rich apostolic tradition of the Church isn’t bizarre or arcane, or only understandable by a few.  Ireneaus pointed out the “rule of faith”—that the faith is internally consistent, it is logical, it is comprehensible, and understandable by all peoples.   

St. Irenaeus is truly a model of perseverance in the faith; he devoted himself to the truth of Jesus Christ and is celebrated as a martyr.  With the help of his prayers, may we come to be made worthy of the promises of Christ, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.