I am the Light

Today is the feast of one of our Church's outstanding theologians, St. Athanasius of Alexandria, who live in the early third century, and was a contemporary of St. Alexander.  Athanasius was one of several Bishops at Nicaea who defined the nature of Christ.  His writings and preaching helped the Church to develop a deeper theology of Christ, and of the role of the Church.

Athanasius is probably best known for his defense of the nature of Christ, against the heresy of Arius.  In the early centuries of the Church there was a great controversy as to whether Jesus was fully divine, or whether he contained both a divine and human nature at all times.  Needless to say these disputes caused a rift in the Church,and much confusion within the early Church.  To be sure the teachings of the Patristics offered a framework for the Church as to the foundations of our faith.

In our Church today, as there has been for the last two thousand years, there is controversy and concern as to what to believe.  The teachings of the Church sometimes can seem confusing and even out of place in our contemporary society.  The challenge of the teaching authority of the Church, as well as those who are believers, is to remain faithful to the essence of our faith.  When I was in college we had two professors who had an ongoing debate, over some Church issue, which was hashed out in the Diocesan paper.  The funny things was that both professors were right; though coming at the issue from different angles.

At times we do not always know, that we do not know, so we latch on to a philosophy or spirituality which seems convenient at the time.  It would seem much more welcoming if everyone could come and receive the Eucharist at Mass.  And if God loves us don't men and women go right to heaven, especially if they are good people.  There are a plethora of teachings which might make us uncomfortable, but it is part of the faith we behold.  Most importantly it would seem expedient  for us to read and study the reasoning of such theology.  It is easy to dismiss what we do not like.  The more difficult task is to come to an understanding.

People like Athanasius endured many hardships and much offensiveness because he maintained a teaching that was connected to the Scriptures and apostolic tradition.  In John's Gospel Jesus tells his hearers that he had come to testify to the truth.  He readily admits for us that the truth is hard to hear and not always popular.  It is important to reflect whether we are looking towards a faith In Christ's image, or our own.  Is the Church about the Kingdom, or about me?  I think it is about Jesus the Christ.