We might take this fundamental truth of our faith for granted today, but during the times in which St. Athanasius lived, it was not universally acknowledged—that Jesus Christ is truly and fully God.
The first Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 was convoked to deal with the teachings of the Egyptian priest named Arius who was claiming that Jesus, as Pope Benedict summarized the position, “was not a true God but a created God, a creature ‘halfway’ between God and man who hence remained forever inaccessible to us.”
The brilliant Athanasius, still a deacon at the time, helped lead the charge against Arius’ teaching, which he persuaded the Council to condemn. But even with the heresy of Arianism condemned, their false theological ideas were not entirely extinguished. And after Nicaea, the arians gained the upper hand in civil and Church politics—including arian bishops, priests, and emperors.
The Arians maneuvered to have St. Athanasius, now a bishop, exiled from his diocese—5 times in fact. 17 of his 45 years as Patriarch of Alexandria he spent in exile.
But Bishop Athanasius continued to teach the fullness of truth about Christ’s Incarnation. As the Lord himself taught in today’s Gospel, “The Father and I are one”.
Each week, we profess the dogma rightly taught and suffered for by St. Athanasius: that the Son is consubstantial with the Father.
Through Christ, God has truly made himself accessible to us. God didn’t come just symbolically in Jesus, he really came. God really came in search of the straying sheep. Man can really find his way to God by coming to Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life. In fact, no one comes to the Father, except through Him.
Jesus is divine. If he were not really God, we are not really saved by his death and resurrection.
Even though Arianism was condemned by Nicaea and many times afterwards, still many of our contemporaries struggle with this heresy. It is nearly impossible to prove that Jesus didn’t exist. Even the atheist has to acknowledge the historicity of the Jesus of Nazareth. And yet, many, even some claiming to be Christian, will claim that Jesus was not God, that he was just a holy man, a preacher, a revolutionary, or an enlightened individual with some ideas worth incorporating into one’s life.
So may St. Athanasius lend us prudence, wisdom, knowledge, patience, and courage in teaching the fullness of faith, that unbelievers and believers as well, may draw near to God who has made himself accessible in Christ, and come to enjoy eternal life through Him, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
Filled with Paschal joy, let us turn earnestly to God, to graciously hear our prayers and supplications.
For the shepherds of our souls, the pope, bishops, and clergy, that grounded firmly in the Truth of the Gospel, they will assist the faithful in proclaiming the Truth with humility and conviction.
For the whole world, that it may truly know the peace of the Risen Christ.
That our parish may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ, and that the newly initiated hold fast to the faith they have received.
For our brothers and sisters who suffer, that their sorrow may be turned to gladness through the Christian faith.
That all of our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory may come to the glory of the Resurrection.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.
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