Daily Reflection Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr

Today’s readings are saturated with reminders of our own covenantal relationship with God through our participation in the sacraments and in our relationship with each other. Many of us received Baptism when we were infants. Yet, at some time in our lives, we ourselves made the commitment to follow Jesus through the sacraments and the teachings of the Church. When we are sincere in our commitment—our covenant with God—like Abram and Jesus we become a giving people.  Love becomes so much a part of us that we think and act with the mind of Jesus as narrated in the gospel today.

    The Book of Genesis tells us that Abram’s and Sara’s physical sterility bothers Abram. He knows that to give life, to be a generative person, is to participate in God.  What Abram does not know is the plan that God has for him. Yet, Abram stays with God. It is when the sun sets (a symbol of Abram’s age), that Abram realizes his covenant with God. This covenant is not a one- time experience. It is a life-long process.  Abram consents to an ongoing covenant with God, who then promises him many descendants.

    In the gospel Jesus warns us to beware of false prophets.  Our own covenant with God demands that we live those gifts we have received in Baptism and Confirmation. Yes, today we are surrounded by false prophets: those who criticize, even condemn people because of their family of origin, financial status, religious affiliation, or sexual orientation. When people are not comfortable with themselves as God created them, they tend to throw verbal stones at others. Then we have the false prophets who either preach the prosperity gospel “follow God and you will be financially rich” or condemn differences in others because “you are not like me.”

    In employing the comparison of the good tree and us, Jesus encourages each one of us to choose and live the good, the just decisions in our lives. We are so affected by social media—positively and negatively. Since we have this gift of communication, we can use it to be the good prophet Jesus wants us to be in today’s gospel. We can encourage people who have low self-esteem by reminding them of all the gifts that God has given them—gifts that need to be used and shared. If used for the good of others, social media can be the blessing that it was meant to be at its creation.

    Irenaeus, whose feast we commemorate today is known for treating people with truth and charity. Living in the Second Century, AD, he responded to his covenant with God.  Even though he disagreed with people who had wrong ideas about Christianity, he treated them with truth and respect. He regarded them with love. Although the church was flowering during Irenaeus’ time, the people were bombarded with falsehoods about Christianity. They were physically persecuted for their beliefs. His contemporaries wrote that “Faith and charity were the tools Irenaeus used to defend the faith and preserve Christian unity.”

    Each of us is called to live our covenant on a minute- by -minute basis. However, none of us can do that unless we deepen our relationship with God.

Remembering that God loves each one of us individually and unconditionally, we ask for that specific love we need to give to those we deem “not lovable.” If we want to remain on the tree of Jesus, then we must graft ourselves to Jesus. We strive to live the love that respects differences yet condemns sin.