(c.295-373) We have Saint Athanasius to thank for parts of the Creed we recite at Mass: “God from God, Light from Light…begotten, not made; consubstantial with the Father.” A disciple of Saint Anthony in the Egyptian desert, Saint Athanasius was a defender of the truth of the nature of Jesus. He was also bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, and is both a Father and Doctor of the Church. To be a “Doctor of the Church” means to be a saint whose life and writings exemplify and clarify the truth of Christianity to the highest degree (“doctor” means “teacher” in Latin). For his work defending the divinity of Jesus, Saint Athanasius was exiled five times. He became known as Athanasius Contra Mundum (Latin for “Athanasius Against the World”).

An essential spiritual principle in recovery is Perseverance. Saint Athanasius models to us the tenacity to never give up and never give in when we are living in the truth. Keep doing the right thing, just for today. Don’t get overwhelmed with what your expectation of the endgame should be, take one moment at a time, and do the next right thing—over and over and over. Keep it simple.

“You cannot put straight in others what is warped in yourself” (Saint Athanasius, On the Incarnation).

Reflection by Brad Farmer