SATURDAY 2ND MAY 2020
MEMORIAL OF ST. ATHANASIUS
THIRD WEEK OF EASTER
Acts 9:31-42, JOHN 6:60-69
Nothing has divided the Christian
faith in history more than differences in doctrines. We see different Christian
bodies preaching different things and different interpretations about the same
gospel of Christ. Some pastors even attack and insult others from their pulpit.
The Catholic Church has received more of the attack and criticisms because of
our traditional way of worship. In fact, a pastor recently uttered some words
against the Pope, but the reaction that followed even from non-Catholics shows
that the pastor merely showed his ignorance of history and simple secular world
events.
As the early Church is starting
gradually, we see Peter moving from one city to another to strengthen the faith
of the people, and it is very important to him that the right teachings are
taught. Once you teach an error, it is more difficult to correct it.
There are some things that do not
need that words should be painted when they are taught. Many people do not like
the Catholic Church because she does not always tell them what they want to
hear to be happy, but truth that will challenge them to live a better life.
This is why in the gospel reading of today, many people left Jesus when he
preached to them because he told them the truth. Teaching the right thing is
very important, even though it makes us hated and unpopular.
We have a perfect example of
staying with the truth irrespective of whatever happens in St Athanasius whose
memorial we celebrate today. He stood on the side of truth to the end. He
worked closely with Bishop Alexander and succeeded him as Bishop of Alexandria.
His attack on Arianism, a teaching that denied that Jesus is God, made him to
spend about 17 years on exile. At the end, he was happy that he suffered so
that we have the right teachings today.
Let us pray today for our
separated brethren, especially those who have been misled by wrong doctrines
and have hated the Catholic Church for no reason, that they will re-trace their
steps and come to know the truth. We also pray for ourselves, that we may be
always ready like Jesus, St Peter and St Athanasius to stand on the side of
truth. God help us. Amen
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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