The Feast of St Athanasius of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

THIS IS THE WORK OF GOD. BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST. EVERYTHING ELSE WILL FOLLOW.

"Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” (John 6: 22.... 29).

Monday 2nd May 2022, of the 3rd Week in the Easter Season is the feast of St Athanasius of Alexandria, Egypt (297 - 373) Bishop and Doctor of the Church.  Athanasius is rightly called the Father of Orthodoxy. Athanasius was a key light at the Council of Nicaea (325), where he defended vigorously that Jesus Christ is true God (100%) and true Man (100%). He defended this truth all his life and suffered much persecution from the Arians including several exiles. Athanasius' other great contribution to the early Church is the Life of St Anthony the Great, known also as St Anthony of the Desert or St Anthony of Egypt). Athanasius had personal acquaintance with St Anthony. The biography of the great Desert monk became the gold standard for monastic rules for the Church both in the East and the West.

Many people followed Jesus for food with the hope of money, healing and job.  They cared very little for the agenda of Jesus. Jesus told them: "Man does not live on bread alone. There is life for him in every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4: 4).

Jesus expands on this teaching in our key Scripture for today. He says to the crowd:
"Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” (John 6: 27).

What are the food that endures for eternal life? Consider faith, hope, charity and the Word of God. No one can purchase faith, hope and love.

“What can we do to accomplish the works of God?”  Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”

Jesus gave them an uncomplicated answer: Faith in Jesus whom God sent for the salvation of humanity. Faith is greater than gold and silver. Faith is imperishable.

5.2. “Woe to those who despise devotion to Mary! ... The soul cannot live without having recourse to Mary and recommending itself to her. He falls and is lost who does not have recourse to Mary.” (St Alphonsus Liguori).

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