A Reflection for the Feast of St. Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr
Find today’s readings here.
Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me will bear much fruit. (Jn 15:4a, 5b)
Many centuries after his lifetime, the church continues to honor St. Irenaeus of Lyons on June 28 for his tremendous life of faith and his lasting impact on the church. Irenaeus is thought to have been born sometime around 140 A.D. in Smyrna (now Turkey) in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. He served as a bishop of Lyons and wrote passionately and extensively against Gnosticism and heretical teachings. He died around 200 A.D.—possibly as a martyr, though the specifics of his death are unconfirmed—and was canonized in 1202. Pope Francis recognized St. Irenaeus as “Doctor Unitatis” (“Doctor of Unity”) in 2022, highlighting him as a man who was intent on fostering communication and reconciliation between the Eastern and Western Churches.
It seems fitting that the second-century saint is being recognized when considering today’s readings. In the Gospel, Jesus reminds his disciples about the “ravenous wolves” that “come to you in sheep’s clothing.” This passage is sometimes referenced with fear or anxiety. However, the way Irenaeus was able to cut through the confusion of Gnostic influence and Christian divisiveness in order to focus on reaffirming his belief is an aspirational example of what it means to faithfully search for the truth—turning the idea of vigilance into something positive and uniting. Irenaeus was not backed into a corner of anxious defensiveness; rather, he was actively searching for ways to live and preach ways that were veritable and holy.
We will “remain in the Lord” and the fruits we bear will be sweet and plentiful—as large and lasting as the Catholic catechism and as small and fleeting as a tearful hug in Central Park.
The excerpted verse from today’s Gospel acclamation continues to highlight how the faith of Irenaeus and all Catholics can be generative, continuously creating sustenance for the Church and the world:
Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me will bear much fruit. (Jn 15:4a, 5b)
St. Irenaeus is responsible for strengthening pillars that have kept Catholicism resilient, including the idea of apostolic authority and scriptural canon: These impacts are part of the “fruits” of his faith. But with Irenaeus as an exemplary role model, we all have the capacity to “remain in the Lord” and “bear much fruit” in our everyday lives.
During the school year, I was walking in Central Park with a classmate of mine—not someone I was particularly close with—when she suddenly burst into tears, confessing that she was struggling deeply with her mental and physical health, and was feeling isolated at school. We sat together and talked for over an hour about her frustrations and loneliness. It was clear that she was trying to cut through all the confusion of college relationships to find something real. Her decision to come to me and my decision to stay with her led to a deeper friendship: a “fruit” of our mutual recognition of the truth of God’s love in each other.
We can’t all be St. Irenaeus of Lyons: bishop, saint, doctor of the church—though of course we should aspire to live with the tenacity and faith that he did. However, we can be a positive and welcoming presence in the communities we inhabit. In doing so, we will “remain in the Lord” and the fruits we bear will be sweet and plentiful—as large and lasting as the Catholic catechism and as small and fleeting as a tearful hug in Central Park.
