Our readings on this feast of St. Cyril of Jerusalem have to do with belief that Jesus is the Son of God; and that remaining in the faith, that belief, remaining in the action that follows that belief: love: will keep us united not only with God, but with one another in a great and comforting unity.
Jesus calls it the vine and the branches. He says that we are all united as vine and branches; with the same life flowing through us: the life of grace and mercy and peace; the life of loving service to our brothers and sisters. St. John tells us in the first reading that we prove our love for God and manifest our faith in him by loving others – all others – for better or for worse.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem was one in the early Church who defended belief in Jesus as the Son of God; and proclaimed that loving others was the best witness to that belief. Cyril was born of Christian parents in 315. He succeeded Maximus as bishop of Jerusalem in 348. He was involved in the dispute over Arianism (which said that Jesus was God's most excellent creation, but not divine) and was more that once punished with exile. His writing called Catechesis, in which he explained to the newly baptized Christians at Easter-time the true teachings of the faith and of Scripture and also the traditions of the Church, reveal his pastoral zeal. He died in 386. In 1882 he was proclaimed Doctor of the Church for the excellence, clarity and orthodoxy of his writings and teachings.
In this day and age – with so much that is surfacing in the world that daily challenges our values and morals - we are exhorted daily to clarify our belief in Jesus as Son of God – true Man and true God; and from that faith we are called upon to exercise our call to charity (resulting from that belief); our call to truly love one another – to look after the needs of one another – especially for the poor, the downtrodden, the voiceless and defenseless. If we won't defend and help them, who will? We are like branches that emanate from the vine which is Christ! Let us be good and vibrant and healthy branches – and not like those dead and withered branches that will be removed and thrown into the fire at harvest time!
St. Cyril of Jerusalem, pray for us!
Today, if you hear the voice of the Lord, harden not your hearts!
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