St Irenaeus from the 2nd century is the saint we celebrate today. Irenaeus saw the greatest threat to the Christian faith not from the persecutions at the hands of the Roman Empire, but rather the philosophy of Gnosticism that was influencing many Christian believers. One of the strongest beliefs in Gnosticism sees a dualism in the material world vs. the spiritual world. Gnostics see the spiritual world as superior to the material world; they see a stark contrast between the God of creation and the God of salvation. St Irenaeus defended the connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament. He saw the material world as being intrinsically good as part of God’s creation and God’s kingdom here on earth. He died a martyr for the faith around the year 200 defending these beliefs.
We hear of the on-going relationship between God and Abraham in our first reading from Genesis today, with Abraham wondering how he will create a great nation if he is not able to produce a child. God fulfills that promise through his covenant with Abraham and Abraham’s obedience. As Abraham is instructed by God not to fear, may we also have confidence and faith on our journey, the same confidence and faith that gave St Irenaeus strength on his journey.
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