Apply the Gospel to Life
September 13th is the memorial of St. John Chrysostom.
Saint John got his title “Chrysostom,” meaning “golden mouthed” in Greek, because of his captivating gift of preaching. This fourth century saint’s homilies on the Gospel, families, marriage, and understanding God’s love for us continue to motivate Christians today.
He was an archbishop of Constantinople in the fourth century.
Quotes from his homilies:
“Are you a sinner? Do not become discouraged, and come to Church to put forward repentance. Have you sinned? Then tell God, ‘I have sinned.’ What manner of toil is this, what prescribed course of life, what affliction? What manner of difficulty is it to make one statement, ‘I have sinned?’ Perhaps if you do not call yourself a sinner, you do not have the devil as an accuser? Anticipate this and snatch the honor away from him, because it is his purpose to accuse. Therefore, why do you not prevent him, and why do you not tell your sin and wipe it out, since you know that you have such an accuser who cannot remain silent? Have you sinned? Come to Church. Tell God, ‘I have sinned.’ I do not demand anything else of you than this.
“Holy Scripture states, ‘Be the first one to tell of your transgressions, so you may be justified.’ Admit the sin to annul it. This requires neither labor nor a circuit of words, nor monetary expenditure, nor anything else whatsoever such as these. Say one word, think carefully about the sin and say, ‘I have sinned.’”
Be A Giver & A Doer
“The bee is more honored than other animals, not because she labors, but because she labors for others.”
“If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at the church door, you will not find Him in the chalice.”
St. John Chrysostom, pray for us!
The painting by Joseph Wencker (c.1880) is John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, chastising Eastern Roman Empress Eudoxia for her pride and decadence, circa AD 404.
