Memorial of Saint
Irenaeus, bishop and martyr
(Amos 3:1-8.4:11-12; Matthew 8:23-27)
Irenaeus lived in challenging times for the Church. In the latter part of the second century Christians
were subject to persecution. Also, heresies
were creeping into Christian thought and much of the Church’s doctrine needed
clarification. Irenaeus responded magnificently. He wrote theological treatises that show
remarkable sensitivity for Scripture. As
bishop, he settled a dispute among Christians about the day Easter was to be
celebrated. The Church was being tossed about then like Jesus’ boat in today’s
gospel passage.
Jesus appears to his disciples as a superman as he sleeps
in the boat with a storm raging. He has
demonstrated his great wisdom and even has worked some cures. Now he shows his authority over nature. The disciples cannot help but wonder what
kind of human being he is. In tomorrow’s
gospel there question will be answered as Peter names him “’the Christ, the Son
of the living God.’”
We must trust that
Jesus is with us today to save us. There
are plenty of difficulties. Solid morality,
like the insistence not to take human life, is publicly compromised. Money, not the common good, seems to be the
principal motivator for most people. The
world is threatened by mass terrorism, a new form of militarism. We have, as it
were, to wake up Jesus with our prayer.
He will calm present storms as sure as he has done throughout the ages.
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