Feast of St Irenaeus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

The Feast of St Irenaeu, Bishop, Martyr and Doctor of the Church. 

"Jesus said to his disciples:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves.

"By their fruits you will know them.

"Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 

"Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit.

"A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit.

"Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.” 

(Matthew 7 - 15).

Wednesday 28th June in the 12th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Irenaeus. (125 - 203). Bishop and Martyr and Doctor of the Church.

St Polycarp was instructed in the faith by St John the Apostle. He, Polycarp instructed St Irenaeus who became a Bishop in Lyons in France. 

Note the date of Irenaeus life (125 - 203) and you will understand why France is called the Eldest Daughter of the Church. St Irenaeus is an early Church Father.

God called Irenaeus to uphold the revealed truth of the faith and bring peace to the Church. 

Pope Francis declared him the 37th Doctor of the Church on January 21st 2022.

What is the legacy of St Irenaeus? Irenaeus defended the Church against the poisonous heresy of Gnosticism. This heresy was so thoroughly defeated that it disappeared. 

About 100 years ago, it reincarnated itself in the heretical sect called Jehovoh Witness. They claim that there are two gods governing the world: a good god that causes good things and and evil god that causes bad things. They deny that Jesus Christ is God. They deny the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. They target especially Catholics who have little knowledge of Scripture.

Beware of them. They are wolves in sheep clothing. We need a new St Irenaeus for our day to deal them final mortal blow.

Two famous quotes of St Irenaeus:

1. “The glory of God is the human person fully alive.” ...

2. “Error, indeed is never set forth in its naked deformity, lest, being thus exposed, it should at once be detected."

The Church honors the Sacred Heart of Jesus in June. 

For Prayers and Meditations on the Sacred Heart of Jesus click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2021/06/consecrate-yourself-to-sacred-heart-of.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com