MEMORIAL ST ATHANASIUS, SATURDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER, MAY 12, 2026
- Olivia M. Bannan
- May 2
- 3 min read
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples: “If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to Jesus, Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”
REFLECTION
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
Who was Athanasius? I see his name in my morning spiritual reading but do I really know him, why is he quoted a lot and why was he a saint?
He was archbishop of Alexandria, Doctor of the Church, AD 373. Few facts: he was well educated, lived in a Christian family, and he embraced Greek literature, philosophy, jurisprudence and Christian doctrine. He had a personal encounter with a desert father, St Antony. In the year 318 he wrote the famous treatise on the Incarnation, in which he wrote eloquently of the redemptive work of Christ.
There was a priest, Arius (Arianism), in Alexandria, who preached that the Word of God is not eternal, that he was created in time by the Eternal Father and therefore he could only be figuratively referred to as the Son of God. His teachings were condemned as heretical and he was deposed with 11 other priests and deacons. Arius retired to Caesarea and continued to propagate this heretical teaching.
At the age of thirty he became Bishop Athanasius and was present at the great council of Nicea in which the true doctrine of the Church was reaffirmed. Arius was excommunicated, and the confession of faith became the true doctrine of the Church. Though Arius tried to be accepted back to the priesthood, Bishop Athanasius refused as Arianism attacked the divinity of Christ. His enemies conspired and were successful in bringing many different charges against Athanasius and he was banished to Trier in Belgian Gaul. The enemy continued to pursue Athanasius by way of false charges but St Athanasius was successful in defending himself and having all charges dropped.
He died on May 2, 373 and his remains are in Venice. (1)
We have all gone on vacations, planning the destination but also the route taken. It would be a shame that the trip ends at the halfway point. If we knew that would happen we might plan to do other things or live differently. That can be said for eternal life. How can we plan if the trip can end half way and that is it!! For sure, I would live life a little different if there was no eternal destination.
For a clear understanding of what is present for us and what awaits us, Jesus emphasizes the eternal life that awaits us at the end of our trip
Jesus is the true and perfect image of the Father
To see Jesus is to truly see God.
Jesus is His Son and is the exact image of the Father
He reveals His Father because He is God.
The Father and the Son are distinct persons but one in being.
Christ's words are inseparable from the Father.
The works of the Son are the works of God the Father Himself.
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