Saint Irenaeus was born around the year 130. Educated in Smyrna, he became a disciple of Saint Polycarp, bishop of that city. In the year 177 he was ordained a priest at Lyons in France and shortly thereafter was made bishop of that city. He composed works defending the Catholic faith against errors of the Gnostics (who said that body was evil and that salvation through knowledge was available only to the elite), and it is said that he received the martyr's crown around the year 200.
Jesus, in the gospel passage today, prays for the Apostles and their successors who would be the bearers of his message, born of a personal experience with him: knowledge through unity with him and each other, unity in a bond of peace!
In the first reading, St. Paul tells Timothy, a priest he himself ordained, to pursue faith, love and peace in his work – and to simply present the truth of the gospel message – not entering into foolish and ignorant debates. The heretics that St. Irenaeus was dealing with sported such foolishness and debates. St. Paul told Timothy (and indirectly Irenaeus), however, to treat such errant brothers with kindness and gentleness – with the true charity from the heart! Thus, the credibility of the message itself would be preserved, and the wayward person may truly consider a change of mind and a conversion of heart!
If you a speaking truth – you don't have to yell – you don't have to harass – you don't have to belittle your audience – as do those who do not speak the truth!
The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom – and he murmurs it quietly, gently, yet o so persuasively!
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