28 June 2018
Memorial of St. Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr
St. Irenaeus is a tremendous example of what we have been reflecting on this past week. His own example of Christian life was such that when he corrected the errors of others, when he “pointed out the splinter” in another’s eye, those who knew him heeded his words. He had a passion for souls, and is known for his apologetic works, yet he did not succumb to the temptation to lay siege to an obstinate person or people: he would sow his seeds of wisdom and insight, and leave the rest to God. He was not a wolf in sheep’s clothing; his flock knew him to be one of their own, and he lived so fruitful a Christian life that we are still enjoying that fruit today. Even in 2018 there are those who convert to the Catholic faith after reading his writings; amazing, considering he lived and died around 1,800 years ago.
And so, on his feast day, we are given this challenging Gospel, a Gospel our saint no doubt pondered often in his life, especially once he was appointed Bishop of Lyons, France. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Even those who claim to have said and done many things in the name of Jesus will be barred entrance: why? Because Jesus does not know them.
Imagine going to Hollywood and standing outside the fence of some celebrity’s house; we’ll say it is Julia Roberts’s house. Across the yard you see her. “Ms. Roberts!” you shout, “Julia! Hey! Can I come in?” Of course you cannot: she does not know you. You know her name; so do many. But you do not know her, and she does not know you, and therefore you cannot enter into her house. There are many who will do things in the name of God—things both good and evil—but are they doing God’s will? In other words, are they doing them because God has desired them to do so, or for another purpose? We cannot name-drop our way into Heaven; eternal life is not a night club. Heaven is a home for the children of God, and no amount of pretense will fool anyone about who we truly are, but only by living the life of the Son who says “…I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me” (John 6:38).
Hence His words today: “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.” Just as the strength and longevity of a house is as good as the ground upon which it is built, our actions—even our best actions—are only as good as the motivation that lies beneath them. Our life may appear, outwardly, to be Christian and holy, but if that life does not rest upon a foundation of love for God, will it withstand the floods and buffeting winds of the world; will it withstand the fire that will test it one day (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)? St. Irenaeus built his life on a solid foundation: the Rock of Ages (Isaiah 26:4). Jesus was the living water (John 4:14) from which flowed all he strove to do in his life.
Seek to know God; live according to your love for Him, and trust in His love for you. Let your life be, as was the life of our saint today, a response to the love of the One who loved you first (1 John 4:19).