Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint John Chrysostom, B.D., (13th September, 2017) on the Gospel
and the Memorial
(Wednesday of the Twenty-Third Week in
Ordinary Time (I))
Col 3:1-11;
Ps 144:2-3.10-13. (R.v.9);
Lk 6:20-26.
Saint John, named Chrysostom (golden-mouthed) on
account of his eloquence was born in Antioch of Christian parents, about the
year 344. He studied rhetoric under Libanius. In 374, he began to lead the life
of an anchorite in the mountains near Antioch, but in 386 the poor state of his
health forced him to return to Antioch, where he was ordained a priest. In 398,
he was elevated to the See of Constantinople and became one of the greatest
lights of the Church. He was exiled on account of the accusations against him
from his enemies. The Pope remaining with him consoled him. He was later banished
further to the very extremity of the Empire (Pythius). He died on his way there
on September 14, 407.[1]
Saint John is the patron saint of Constantinople, education, epilepsy,
lecturers, orators, and preachers. He is venerated in Roman Catholic Church, Eastern
Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, and Church of the East.[2]
Topic: Ultimate reversal.
Jesus proclaimed that those who are poor, those who are
hungry now, those who weep now, and those people hate, exclude, revile, and
defame on account of the Son of Man as blessed. On the contrary, woes to the
rich, those who are filled now, those laughing now, and those people speak well
of.
One might conclude that being poor, hungry, weeping, hated,
defamed, and so on are tickets to heaven. Whereas, being rich, filled,
laughing, and having good name are channels of hell.
However, both poverty and riches are from the same LORD, cf. 1Sam 2:7; Prov 22:2). Does it then mean
that God destined some for hell?
The problem is when one forgets to show kindness, pursuing
the poor, the needy and the broken-hearted to their death (Ps 109:16). It is wrong to despise, oppress, and/or mock the poor,
cf. Prov 14:21, 31. 17:5. 22:16. Whoever
closes his/her ear to the cry of the poor, will cry out and not be heard, cf. Prov 21:13.
We read from the Psalms, “Happy are those who consider the
poor; the LORD delivers them in the day of trouble” (Ps 41:1). Elsewhere we also read, “Whoever is kind to the poor
lends to the LORD, and will be repaired in full” (Prov 19:17). Again, “Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
but one who turns a blind eye will get many a curse” (Prov 28:27). We ought to follow Christ who though He was rich, yet
for our sake He became poor, so that by His poverty we might become rich, cf. 2Cor 8:9. Saint John Chrysostom rightly
teaches, “If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at the church door, you will
not find Him in the chalice.”[3]
Bible Reading: Deut 30:11-20; Jas 2:1-13.
Thought for today: We are all from the same God.
Let us pray: Lord, help us live in hope for the kingdom
of heaven, where there will be true fulfilment, laughing, and rejoicing – Amen.
Saint John Chrysostom – Pray for us.
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