Saint Irenaeus, Saint of the day for June 28th

(c.130 - c.202)

The story of Sant'Ireneo
The Church is fortunate that Irenaeus was involved in many of his controversies in the second century. He was a student, undoubtedly well trained, with great patience in investigations, tremendously protective of apostolic teaching, but driven more by the desire to conquer his opponents than to prove them wrong.

As bishop of Lyon, he was particularly interested in the Gnostics, who took their name from the Greek word for "knowledge". By claiming access to the secret knowledge imparted by Jesus to a few disciples, their teaching attracted and confused many Christians. After thoroughly studying the various Gnostic sects and their "secret", Irenaeus showed what logical conclusions their principles brought. The latter contrasted with the teaching of the apostles and the text of Sacred Scripture, giving us, in five books, a system of theology of great importance for later times. Furthermore, his work, widely used and translated into Latin and Armenian, gradually put an end to the influence of the Gnostics.

The circumstances and details of his death, such as those of his birth and early childhood in Asia Minor, are by no means clear.

Reflection
A deep and sincere concern for others will remind us that the discovery of truth must not be a victory for some and a defeat for others. Unless everyone can claim a participation in that victory, the truth itself will continue to be rejected by the losers, because it will be considered inseparable from the yoke of defeat. And so, confrontation, controversy and the like could yield to a real united search for the truth of God and how it can best be served.