Standing Up for Our Faith

The Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Athanasius. His biography says that he accompanied Bishop Alexander to the Council of Nicea, and succeeded him as Bishop of Alexandria (Magnificat, 36). That is key because the Council of Nicea was held in 325 and it is the council that brought forth the Nicene Creed that we profess each week at Mass. The Profession of Faith is beautiful because it says everything that we believe and hold dear as Catholics. That biography goes on to say that Saint Athanasius "fought courageously against the Arian heresy. For this he suffered many hardships and was exiled several times" (36). Saint Athanasius was not afraid to stand up for the faith and that is a tremendous example for all of us. I believe another commentary says it all and it needs to make us prayerfully reflect and think about how we live our lives and our faith. "Saint Athanasius championed with ardor the Church's belief that Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh, is both true God and true man. The saint suffered intensely at the hands of the politically powerful int he long struggle for the truth. Is our faith in Christ worth that much to us" (Magnificat, 34)? The Church holds up this holy men and women for us as an example of how we can live our lives and faith. We seek their divine assistance at all times because we need grace and strength to stand up for our faith and live it to the fullest. Saint Athanasius, pray for us!!!