Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
(Acts 11:19-26; John 10:22-30)
In today’s gospel the Jews ask Jesus if he is “the
Christ.” This term implies that he would
be considered the son of God in an exalted sense although not in the same sense
that St. Athanasius meant. Almost three
centuries later, Athanasius lived at a time when people debated an equal
standing for God the Father and God the Son.
Athanasius contended that Father and Son are identical
except for their respective relations.
Today’s passage testifies to this radical equality where Jesus says, “’I
and the Father are one.’” They have not
only the same nature but also the same mind and will. The Holy Spirit shares these qualities as
well. He differs from the Father in that
he proceeds from the Father. He differs
from the Son in that the Son is begotten by the Father.
We may have trouble trying to explain the Trinity to
others. But it is very important that
they are one. Also we must keep in mind
that they love us more than we can imagine.
In return for that love, which blesses us each day, we praise and thank
them. Since imitation is a high form of
praise, we also want to love one another.
