St. Irenaeus of Lyons : Demonstration of the apostolic teaching

47. So then the Father is Lord and the Son is Lord, and the Father is God and the Son is God; for that which is begotten of God is God. And so in the substance and power of His being there is shown forth one God; but there is also according to the economy of our redemption both Son and Father. Because to created things the Father of all is invisible and unapproachable, therefore those who are to draw near to God must have their access to the Father through the Son.

Note: Irenaeus is the most important theologian to be found in the second century. We do not know exactly the year of his birth which would probably be around 140 to  160 AD. Irenaus tells us that he heard Polycarp’s sermons in early youth and this makes us think that he was born in Smyrna. This is interesting for us because we can see a direct line of teaching reaching the apostles. Polycarp knew the apostles especially John. Irenaeus heard Polycarp preaching. That’s how tradition moves in history. The year of his death is unknown. Surely he was known as the peacemaker bishop as defined by Eusebius in his “History of the Church”. Irenaeus is derived from the greek, meaning peace.

Reflection: Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the Son of God who was born, by the power of the Holy Spirit, of the Virgin Mary to redeem humanity. Through Jesus Christ we have God as our Father. Jesus told us to pray thus: “Our Father who art in heaven” ………. God is almighty, perfect and infinite love. We can turn to our Father in heaven and adore him because Jesus Christ made this possible for us. We pray to the Father according to the teachings of Jesus, ….. “give us this day our daily bread”. There is no moment in our lives in which we are left all alone. We may feel the weight of difficulties and hard comings, but we are never alone. God is beside us! This is what we believe through Jesus Christ the Son of the living God. “Thy Kingdom come O Lord.” Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

The Creed: We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven. ( the Nicene-Constantinople Creed )

Prayer: ( St. Francis of Assisi )

Lord God: you alone are holy,
you who work wonders!
You are strong, you are great,
you are the Most High, you are the almighty King,
you, holy Father, King of heaven and earth.

Lord God: you are Three and you are One,
you are goodness, all goodness,
you are the highest Good,
Lord God, living and true.

You are love and charity, you are wisdom,
you are humility, you are patience,
you are beauty, you are sweetness,
you are safety, you are rest, you are joy,
you are our hope and our delight,
you are justice, you are moderation
you are all our wealth and riches overflowing.

fr. sandro