Irenaeus

June 28, 2024:  St. Irenaeus, Doctor, Martyr, Bishop

Listen

• By the rivers of Babylon/ Palmer (psalm)

• On the willows, from Godspell/ Schwartz (psalm)

• Psalm 137:  Let my tongue be silenced/ Celoni (psalm)

• On the shore of Galilee walked a leper silently/ Morris:  about (gospel)

Pope Francis

To Verbites:  Your Chapter theme, “...Shine Before Others: Faithful and Creative Disciples in a Wounded World,” highlights your mission to spread Jesus' Word and follow him.  God’s Word gives life, inspires, and motivates.

Experiencing God's love and keeping the Spirit's flame alive is vital.  The flame renews, purifies, and transforms us. 

Always forgive.  Your missionary creativity comes from the Word and the Spirit, from Christ living within you.  Spread joy to carry out your mission to proclaim the Gospel.  Creative missionary activities are born of love for God's Word, and creativity is born of contemplation and discernment.

Be peacemakers in a world scarred by conflict, war, destruction of the environment, violence against human life and dignity, fundamentalist ideologies, and other wounds.  Be prophets of hope; exercise discernment as the internet and social media influence people’s lifestyles and values.

Be missionaries of synodality.  The Church must grow through listening to and dialoguing with everyone, and discerning her mission in the Spirit.   Be sensitive to the Spirit's gentle movement.  Your founder knew how to discern God's will and guide you in the way of the Spirit.  May his example help you to take courageous steps.

Read

• 2 Kgs 25:1-12  King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, encamped around Jerusalem.  His rep burned the house of the Lord and led the people into exile.

• Ps 137:1-6  "Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!"  Our despoilers urged us to be joyous, but we remembered Zion and wept.

• Mt 8:1-4  Leper/Jesus:  “If you wish, you can make me clean.”  “Be made clean.  Tell no one...”

Reflect

St. Irenaeus

• Creighton:  In today’s psalm, the people lament the dread of exile. We have a bond of music and prayer with our ancestors.  What a gift to gather and glorify God in song!

• Passionist:  Jesus saw the leper as a believer, not as society saw him.  How do I treat today's "lepers"?  How do I bring hope and joy out of sadness?

• DailyScripture.net:  "You can make me clean":  Lepers were outcasts, shunned and regarded as dead.  One approached Jesus confidently and humbly, expecting Jesus could heal him.  Jesus cleansed him and showed God's love in his physical touch. Holy Spirit, inflame me with Christ's love that I may touch others, especially the rejected, mistreated, and alone.

• Universalis:  Irenaeus, bishop, martyr, new Doctor of the Church, started biblical scholarship by helping decide what books to accept into the New Testament, giving reasons for/against each.  Fought against Gnostics and Valentinians.  Read Against heresies and other works online, including the oft-abused Gloria enim Dei vivens homo, vita autem hominis visio Dei.

Dress legend (too bad I forgot to pack the bling I planned to wear today)

• 'Doctor's office' tie:  Irenaeus, new Doctor of the Church

• Red shirt:  Irenaeus, martyr

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