Push Back

Happy feast of Saint Nicholas!

In 2025 we will celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. The fathers of this council had some heated debates about the nature of Christ. 

They were trying to define who, or perhaps more precisely what, Jesus was and is.

Many bishops sided with Arius, who argued that Jesus was a creature, and therefore not fully Divine. 

Others, like St. Athanasius and St. Nicholas, argued that Jesus was truly “one in being” or “consubstantial” with the Father – that Jesus was fully God and fully human. 

According to legend, at the height of the debates, St. Nicholas became so furious at the obstinacy of Arius, that he rose and walloped the heretic in the face. 

Ho, ho, ho.

Here’s to standing up for the truth! To be clear, I’m not advocating violence. Nicholas was chastised by his fellow bishops for losing his temper. 

In the end, Arius was defeated, and the orthodox teaching was codified in the Nicene Creed that we still recite today at Mass. 

Today we live in an age of great debate as well. Powerful forces are working to undermine the foundations of both the Church and society in general. Many people are confused, or worse, simply apathetic. 

So, is there anything we can do about it?

The great Catholic writer Flannery O’Connor provides us with great guidance:

“Push back against the age as hard as it pushes against you. What people don’t realize is how much religion costs. They think faith is a big electric blanket, when of course it is the cross.”

You can push back against the evil of this age by supporting Esto Vir. 

Will you join us?

Will you follow the lead of St. Nicholas and take a stand? 

Will you pray for our missionaries?

Will you make a tax-deductible gift or join the Fireside Fraternity with a monthly commitment of $84 today?