Homily – June 27, 2009 – St. Cyril of Alexandria

St. Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor of the Church was born at Alexandria, Egypt. He was nephew of the patriarch of that city, Theophilus. He received a classical and theological education at Alexandria and was ordained a priest by his uncle. Upon the death of Theophilus, in 412, he succeeded his uncle as patriarch – but not apart from a riot between his supporters and those of Timotheus, his rival. He at once began an aggressive reign to purge the city of dissidents. He entered into the Nestorian controversy – Nestorius, being patriarch of Constantinople who was preaching that Mary was not the Mother of God since the Christ was divine and not human – she should therefore not have the term "Theotokos" (God-bearer) applied to her. Another way to say this is that Nestorius believed that Jesus was but a moral union of two separate persons – one divine, and one human – and that Mary was simply the mother of the human person – so she could not therefore be "mother of God." The Council of Ephesus, attended by some two hundred bishops, condemned Nestorianism and stated that Mary truly was "Mother of God." Theotokos.

During the rest of his life, Cyril wrote treatises that clarified the doctrine of the Trinity and the Incarnation that helped stabilize Christianity in the face of heresy. He was the most brilliant theologian of the Alexandrian tradition. His writings are characterized by accurate thinking, precise exposition, and great reasoning skills. He was declared a doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIII in 1882.

Cyril truly exemplified the life of the evangelist: the proclaimer of the word of God – as set forth in the first reading today. He was persistent whether convenient or inconvenient. He convinced, reprimanded, encouraged through all patience and teaching. He was self-possessed in all circumstances. He put up with hardships and faithfully fulfilled his ministry as evangelist! He was a good and faithful servant of the Gospel. In this Year of the Priest we pray that priests, whether first class or second, faithfully proclaim the Gospel, everywhere and in every circumstance, so that it can at least be noticed and heard. The reception and subsequent application is entirely up to the willingness of the listener to respond to this grace – but at least the evangelist will have done his duty!

Jesus told his disciples, all of them, that they must be salt and light in the world. It is up to them to make the difference in a rather tasteless and dim world. The peaceful light of Truth, the peaceful Light of Christ, and the peaceful light of Charity can make all the difference in a confused and hostile world!

Because we have heard the Gospel and responded to it, forever we will sing the goodness of the Lord.