Today we celebrate the feast of St. Athanasius, a very important bishop and doctor of the Church who lived in the 4th century. He fought courageously against the Arian heresy which stated that Christ was of "like substance" with the Father and not the "same substance" – consubstantial. It was the Council of Nicea – which Athanasius attended that clearly defined Christ's divinity as "consubstantial with the Father."
Athanasius wrote his own creed or "symbol" defending the Church. Point by point he elaborated the theological definitions of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. It is a brilliant work guided and formulated most assuredly by Athanasius' cooperation with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
In the gospel passage Jesus warns his apostles that they would be hated because of their commitment to him and his truth! – for example when they fought against heresies. But Jesus reassures them that whoever endures to the end will be saved! He tells them that they treated him the same way – and they should not expect any better treatment. Do not give up! Do not call it quit! Do not be afraid! Keep going from one town to another – until you cover the earth with my invitation to holiness and eternal life.
In the first reading from the Letter of St. John we hear John telling us that if we believe that Jesus is the Christ – God will come and dwell within us. And if we keep Jesus' commandments regarding love – then we will not only build up the Kingdom on earth, we will also be victorious over the mortally wounded reign of the evil one on the earth.
The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom; and his tongue utters what is right!
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