St John Chrysostom, 345-407. Doctor of Preachers, Feast, Sept 13th.

John is most important for us to learn from because his life, actions, and words mirrored and echoed God's eternal Word, Jesus Christ. We too are called to express that same Word whether it is done secretly, silently, or overtly. St John expressed it superbly and generously as a preacher. That was what his position required of him according to his personality, gifts, and graces.

We, too, can do the same. Each of us can reflect that Eternal Word by our sincere behavior and kind words to others. We are not all called to be a priest or preacher as John but we have the same message to share. Our challenge is to be obedient to God's will and to be kind to other people especially, if at times, they show unkindness toward us. This takes virtue found only in prayer, communion and consecration.

Daily we are challenged to react to others in a manner that befits us as children of God. After all, Jesus told us that he was ascending to his Father and to our Father. We both have the same Father and the same message to share even when nasty people thwart us.

We will be able to achieve this kindness when we try greatly to live in close union with God and others (the kind and the not-so kind) and frequently request to live this favor from God despite repeated failures. This behavior and reactions are called witnessing one's faith. John Chrysostom was a marvelous witness to the faith not only because he was a great preacher but also because he loved to witness to his faith even when others didn't like to hear what he had to say or silenced him with exile.

All of us have felt the sting of being criticized, ridiculed or ignored. Sometimes it is unavoidable and John can help us bear it without hostile reaction. It is hard to remain calm when slander or harshness is hurled at us without just causes.

For those who out of necessity have to say things others do not like to hear, John is a wonderful example. Preachers and those who instruct others in the faith, learn from St John. Pray that you may be inspired to speak up, (not be silent) to speak out (be unafraid to tell) and speak the truth always despite the consequences. John did that and he gives us the courage to be unafraid when we must say things that people don't like to hear but which are necessary to be said.

Chrysostom was born the same year as St Jerome and was as talented with his tongue as Jerome was with his pen. His name means "golden mouth". He was a great preacher in Constantinople. He also spent a dozen years in Syria proclaiming the word of God. St Ephraem, who preceded St John by forty years was from the East and probably knew him. St John was, as many before him, a monk in the desert before he was chosen archbishop. He was caught up in imperial politics of his day and there was not too much he could do about it so he intentionally exiled himself or was exiled. He suffered exile and died in exile rather than go along with the "good old gang". He lived up to the high standards of the gospel and what the Spirit made known within his mind and heart.

John was troubled by stomach ailments and his body was weak but his tongue, like Jerome, was sharp and powerful. He made his point patently clear and his words often stung the "high and the mighty". Unlike St Peter Chrysologous who was an Early Church Doctor and was afraid of wearying his audience by giving five minutes homilies, John was just the opposite and spoke for hours. His occasional two hour sermons often exacerbated his listeners because he would tell "everything the way it was". He often corrected habits that could easily lead into temptations, if not already sinful such as participation in the theater and the circus of his day.

'Broadway' shows in his time were to 'broad'. Listen to his comment in the below quote: "If but once the flame of impure lust seizes you in the theater and those impure looks bewitch you, then you wrong the pure and respected comrade of your life..." Rengers states the residue of images is toxic compared to the excitement of the wrong kind of theater. Then, home and its people can seem dull.

John was not concern about being polite due to the corruption of the times. Obviously there was much dissolute living during this period and his style was not the least appreciated. The use of tact with charity in discrete speaking is wise but God sometimes moved him to be bold, blunt, and outspoken. God will move us too to be outspoken too but sometimes we have to allow him to speak through us. This requires great docility. More often than not we speak out in a reactionary manner than in a justify manner. It is only by the sincerity and earnestness of our words spoken not in a retaliatory reaction but in a collected firmness that God's moves us to speak. It is never spoken in malice but for correction and edification. Normally, we should not speak to defend ourselves but God's honor and glory. John's major focus in his life up to his last breath was "Glory be to God for all things. Amen"

Jesus often lashed out against the hypocrites in his day. He always spoke honestly, measured and totally accurately in defense of God's honor and the practice of virtue. God deplores depraved, perverted, and licentious living. The Creator wants our heart. Scriptures says God is a jealous Lover. The Almighty makes claims on us. Only the Infinite alone can satisfy the finite cravings of the heart. The pure of heart see God exactly because the Lord delights in revealing divine love to the innocent and those who have no guile.

The impure or uninnocent do not see God. Their hidden sins make them dissipated. They should turn to him and not from his goodness. Lacking in modesty or whatever sin against purity they maintain, causes their vision to be blurred and unfocused. Impurity, and any type of sin, will chain us, make us prisoners and enslave us. We become base, vile, and our actions become instinctive and offensive to the Holy One.

All of God's animal's reactions for the most part are pleasing to God because God gives each animal not reason but instinct for survival reasons. Humans have both reason and instinct but when we substitute one for the other we do not act as children of God and displease our loving God. Grace, mercy and God's favor will always enable and empower us to be in control or else turn to God in sorry and obtain immediate forgiveness when we fail. We are not angels. When we remain obstinate in our sins and stay obdurate, our faith and love becomes tepid, shallow and have no root. Then when trial or tests come we lack a solid foundation and get caught up in weakness.

Listen to the last words of the gospel taken from Luke 6: 43-49... "But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed."

St John Chrysostom eagerly spoke about Jesus' many parables. The word of God is the seed of God. It takes root when he are receptive and are listening carefully. It is necessary to sow the seed by word and deed in order that it takes root and hold firm. John did that with word and actions. We can too.

John deplored court protocol that accorded him precedence before the highest state official. His zeal led him to decisive action. He deposed bishops who bribed their way into office. He had a sensitive heart for the poor and praised almsgiving as the Christian queen of virtues. John supported the infirm and those who lived in what we would call hospitals.

Rengers informs us that our saint built a great hospital with the money he had saved on household expenses in his first year as bishop. Many bishops today imitate John. Perhaps, more could?

John spoke eloquently about the various dimensions of charity. The rich did not like hearing that private property existed because of Adam's fall from grace in the garden of paradise. Before humankind sinned all gifts were shared mutually and privately. Nothing was lacking for anyone and no one had more than the other. John was precisely correct in his attempt for us to be generous toward the less gifted. Jesus has told us that the poor will always be with us. Perhaps this status is more for us who are not poorer than the poor.

All creatures have fallen from grace or are lacking in grace. All are in need of grace no matter the perfection. It was pointed out to me by a reader of this website that John spoke vile anti-semetic homilies and hated all Jews. I confess that I am ignore of that action.

We need never to judge and remember that we are all sinners. However, when John did sin it probably occurred earlier in his life. Rengers records that a "contemporary biography of the Saint, usually attributed to Palladious, says: 'after his baptism, (about age 18) John never cursed or swore or spoke evil of anyone or spoke a lie or wished ill to anyone or tolerated loose talk."

St Mary, however, was full of grace and remained so only to become more and more holier as she aged. In Father Luigi Gambero's book listed in the Sources he tells us that our doctor had no doubts that Jesus was born of Mary virginally. He considered the virginal conception a miracle that formed part of God's hidden design; it was already foretold in the Old Testament by such prophetic events as the miraculous conceptions of barren women such as Sarah, Anna, and Elizabeth.

Without God's favor, human nature is greedy, stingy and we are enormously self-centered. Without supernatural support we covet eagerly. The more we have, the more we want. The church reminds us of the capital sins. Our conscience, if they are formed decently, will testify to the truth of right and wrong. If we show mercy, compassion and goodwill to the unfortunate we will be endowed with profound and abundant supernatural life. God is like an eternal magnet that attracts and draws us near the omniscient One, especially those that speak and act godly. The all-powerful One lavishes gifts unstintingly and continually.

When it came to justice and charity, John acknowledged no double standard. Aloof, energetic, and outspoken, John became a target for scorn, sarcasm, and personal attack. He was accused as Jesus for being a glutton, a drunkard and unchaste among rich widows. He was maliciously and endlessly gossiped about. But that didn't faze him. His actions taken against unworthy bishops were viewed as being too uncanonical and displaying extortion and extension of his authority.

Others discredited John with slander, lies and claims he was promoting heresy. The empress took sides with the opponents of John because she too resented his sermons that were sometimes aimed at her.

John's life exemplified the role of the prophet. "He comforted the disturbed and disturbed the comfortable." Many of the quotes I use can be found in Father Leonard Foley's book listed in the Sources. For John's honesty and candidness, he paid the price of a turbulent ministry. His message is for all clergy, laity and speakers especially those who engage in speaking, giving instruction, presentations, oral report or commentary. John is a model for those who need to, or must, talk most frequently. We know that the tongue praises and curses God. St James' Epistle informs us that to be faultless in speech is near perfection. No man can tame the tongue. It can be a flame or an icicle. It can be as deadly poison or sweetness.

This powerful speaker was a master of oratory. He kept huge crowds in the cathedral hanging breathlessly on his words. In appearance he was short in stature with a large forehead and stocky frame.

It is for his homilies (over six hundred and forty are extant) that he is most revered, especially those of the letters of St Paul. He comes best to life as a gentle and sensitive soul in two hundred and forty surviving letters; most of them were crowded into the last three years of his life. Glory to God is the constant theme of these letters. They are written even when he was being driven to a lonely death by a ruler's hatred.

Priests are given the most opportunities for preaching by reason of their office. St John would be the first to say that preaching is not to be equated with style, articulation, colorful imagery and syntax. All of these help but they are not necessary. The Church needs preachers who are imbued and animated by the Spirit. She wants them to speak her message. It is the Spirit that scrutinizes the deep things of God. The Spirit of the Lord is like a double edge sword that discerns the reflections and thoughts of the heart. The heart has its own reason, which only the Spirit can know, express, and interpret.

The church honors Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney as the patron of parish priests. Why? Not only because of his oratory skills, spiritual knowledge or long hours in the confessional is he honored. The Cure D' Ars, as he is often called, is patron of priests mainly because of his holiness, conformity to God's will, zeal and passion for souls. John possessed holiness and holiness possessed John. He was intimately united with Jesus. St John Vianney said: "It is always springtime in a soul united to God". God rewarded his single-minded pursuit of holiness by multipling many miracles in Ars, France. This simple parish priest who lived for others reveals the awesome power of God. Laity and priests will benefit tremendously by reading and pondering this holy priest's words.

If what we say to others is not what we are doing, we will soon be discovered as a hypocrite. We need to live out the words of God if we are going to speak out those same words. St Chrysostom said what he meant and meant what he said. He spoke and acted from the heart. He did not care about "rocking the boat". Everyone knows that certain people can get away with criticism if it is conveyed in the right spirit. John spoke truth boldly. He didn't care if it offended others. Principles came first. He did not curry favor. He spoke honestly and told it according to the gospel. Again, it is not what people do but how they do it that plays a significant factor. We know that actions speak louder than words. John's words registered, riled, and penetrated hearts and minds deeply. Those who are faithless or have sluggish faith, only a miracle can help. John asserted that miracles are for non-believers.

Preaching is a profession, science and an art. It offers information and salvation. John is called doctor of preachers because he revealed salvation preaching the same message that Jesus would have spoken. God is always communicating to our minds and hearts. Our ears pick up auditory messages but do we actually hear? It is especially through preachers like John who can move our hearts and minds with divine inspiration. This powerful preacher wanted his followers to hunger and thirst for God's will which contains all virtues. Pray for virtue as St John Chrysostom prayed. He will intercede for you and help you speak, give, share, and live as God ordains for you.

St John Chrysostom asks for charity for the leaders of Church in homily 21, 7 on 1 Corinthians listed in Father Rengers' book:

"Indeed, one can observe that our spiritual leaders do not experience so much evil censure and calumny from the pagans as they do from the so-called faithful and those who belong to us. And yet there is nothing, absolutely nothing, that can ruin the Church so easily and surely as when no intimate bond exists anymore between the listeners and the teachers, between the children and their spiritual fathers, between chief and subordinate. Of this I warn you, and I pray you weeping. Cease this wicked custom."

All the doctors of the Church advocated ardently preaching Jesus Christ crucified. All accomplished it in different ways. Preachers of any denomination and ordinary Christians of all persuasion should be ever mindful that Jesus first preached his message to the world through his carpentry for thirty years. That was long before his public, active ministry. His mere three years preaching as an itinerant Rabbi had a solid thirty years of preparation.

God allowed Jesus' entire message to be heard in only three years. In fact, God only needs three seconds of our life to effect the same results as thirty years actively doing good. God doesn't need time or years to bring us to accomplish his will for us. God's example in Jesus, both in his active and inactive ministry is an inspiration and is sufficient to bring us to perfection with our total cooperation.

As long as we want God's will ardently, each can proclaim the good news as effective as John. We might say that our prayer is our perfect praise to God and becomes our preaching, attitude or action. Listen to what St John preached about regarding prayer. "Without prayer it is impossible to lead a good life for no one can practice virtue except he who humbly implore God's aid. God, alone, can give us the necessary strength. He who ceases to love and practice prayer no longer possesses the gifts of the Spirit. But he that perseveres in the service of God and deems it an irreparable loss to miss constant prayer, possesses every virtue and is a friend of God."

St John's powerful words tell us that prayer seals us with the Paraclete. The living Spirit makes our prayers praise and proclaim God's holiness and goodness. The mighty work of God is first and foremost the work of creation, redemption, salvation, and sanctification.

Preaching is prayer and prayer is preaching. Pray that you persevere in the service of God regardless of your work, profession or calling. Be assured that all conversations with the Creator are cherished and prized infinitely. If it remains constant, all one's confidence, care and concern will be blessed and rewarded bountifully even in this life. Then, your infinite Caretaker will transform you into God's beloved.

St John Chrysostom tells us information about Mary that is impossible to imagine. For example, John informs us that Mary has been given to each of us in the same manner as God gave Mary to Joseph. Even though Joseph and Mary were actually married by law, Mary was not given to Joseph for marriage only. Mary was given to Joseph and us in order that she may be with us. Mary has been given to us in order that we may be united with her. She was entrusted to Joseph in the same manner that Christ later entrusted her to the disciple John the Apostle who represented us at the foot of the cross on Calvary.

Chrysostom must have had a strong devotion to St Joseph as well as Mary. There is a powerful sermon he relates in commenting on the fatherhood of St Joseph. It is a lesson for husbands and wives. It is especially important for those who are considering leaving, separating or divorcing their spouses. It does not matter if the man is thinking about doing this to the wife or vice-versa. St John tells us as he comments on the husband of Mary that he should stay with her and receive her despite all evidence and justification for leaving her. This was after he discovered that she was with child. No matter the reasons we have, all spouses should pause and meditate on St John's words when it comes to a question of divorce or separation.

Joseph had every right to leave Mary because he knew that Mary's child was not his seed. However, he didn't want to hurt her. Imagine the test that Joseph had in following his reason and feelings. This was a terrible conflict and only a holy intervention by the angel prevented him from leaving Mary.

Married couples need to do everything that is possible to make a marriage work. God helps those couples that sincerely try to help themselves in generous attempts. By having their hearts and minds open daily to the words of God, spoken and implied, our Father will guide their steps to accomplish his will in spite of the difficulty or hardship. God gives instructions through many people and the majority of God's advice we receive in weekly homilies by holy servants such as St John Chrysostom, the doctor of preachers. Others receive wise advice through marriage counselors. Some marriages are impossible to remedy if one party doesn't cooperate or a sincere effort is missing. I have personally known situations where couples have overlooked infidelity many times in an attempt to save a marriage. Sometimes it works. God sees and blesses our valiant efforts. That is what counts. The Spirit must guide us if we are children of God.

The church has officially declared that there are over 100 married saints in heaven awaiting our recourse, prayers and petitions to them. These are saints, but there could be millions unknown. They are eager to hear from us to bless us. They are there exclusively for us. The book, Secular Saints by author Joan Carroll Cruz, listed in the Doctoral Sources/Link at the bottom of the homepage, is a testament to these lovers of God, his mother and all humanity. One particular example and certainly one of my favorite saints is Catherine of Genoa celebrated on September 15th. Her husband was unfaithful to her. She even cared for his daughter after he died although Catherine did not have any children. What is more amazing is that it was through her prayers and kindness to him that he was converted and later lived a dedicated life to God. Rather than feel hostile for what he did, Catherine, prayed for him and pitied him due to his ignorance and fall from virtue that can happen to anyone. The married state is packed with seductions, greed and a million, "nice" temptations that twist and allure us into the gutter ever so sweetly.

Obviously, there are millions of other married saints that we do not know in heaven. Many can aid us through our intercessory prayers, who we have known in our lifetime, when we implore their assistance.

In all states of life including marriage, there are many little pleasures that grow out of proportion unless checked by grace, prayer and God's blessing. Gambling is an example. This can happen to anyone and it starts innocently and before we realize it we can become addictive. A simple thing such as buying a lottery ticket can become an overriding passion. The same thing can happen with drinking, eating, and purchasing things. More than 5 million Americans are pathological or problem gamblers and another 15 million are at risk of becoming like them. The Associated Press reporting a finding by the National Gambling Impact Study Commission in 1999 that found 20 millions have or could have developed gambling problems. This bad habit can start as early as 12 years old.

Today humankind is packed with pathological shoppers, workers, worriers, eaters, dieters, exercisers, smokers and a thousand other petty vices not counting gambling. If there are three virtues that most of us lack is balance, modesty and patience. Most of us have a tendency to overdue manners because of a lack of virtue. St John is a great model for the just distribution of material goods and less of a preoccupation about our selves and excessive indulging.

We ought to seriously pay attention to every homily or sermons preached that we might know and learn. God is always telling us something and reminding us about the divine laws. God has a way of pricking our conscience for behaviors that can lead to sin or advance to virtues. What we feel may not be perceived harmful at first but it may be detrimental to our spiritual development later. It can also lead to serious problems such as gambling. Everyone has a lot to learn from John. The following is from St John Chrysostom taken from the Magnificat 12/98 regarding the subject of fatherhood.

What is meant by the words 'Receive Mary'? Nothing less than that Joseph must stay with Mary, because he had thought of leaving her. The angel said: Keep your wife, whom you had thought of leaving, for it is God who has given her to you, not her parents. She has not been given to you for marriage, but that she may be with you that she may be united to you, through my words. Now she is entrusted to Joseph, in the same manner that Christ will later entrust her to his disciple. "For what has been conceived in her is the work of the Holy Spirit." These are wondrous words which surpass all human understanding, and all the laws of nature. How was a man to believe such things of which he'd never heard before?

Joseph's love for Mary was extraordinary. His love for God was greater. He couldn't have the former without the latter. Joseph was ready to leave Mary because of his love for God. He came first. What faith!

The messages of St John Chrysostom can impart deeper faith, hope and charity when we resolve to do God's will in spite of the many tests and trials that afflict us. It is that holy Flame, which we allow to penetrate, enlighten, and transform us, that will make John's message our own by the way we move, think, live, and embrace it as our very own.

Chrysostom holds a central point of honor in Catholicism. In the mother of all churches, St Peters in Rome, he is depicted in the center apse behind the main altar standing near the Chair of Peter. This illustrates his obedience and total support to the head of the Church, Jesus Christ, represented by the Pope. He is with Sts. Athanasius, Basil and Gregory Nazianzum one of the four great Eastern Doctors of the Church. And, his relics have remained in St Peters in Rome since 1204.

Many of the doctors were exiled time and time again but most returned to their see or place of residence. However, John died in exile. He surrendered to divine providence by trusting completely. His total abandonment to the church and God are not equaled. Despite the ill treatment, subterfuge, and sabotaging he received from foe and friends alike, some of which included the clergy, his last words indicated his holistic attitude and holiness. Drawing his last breath and exhausted by traveling he uttered "Glory be to God for all things".

St John discovered God's glory not only when he died but when he was united to Jesus in the Eucharist. Listen to him:

"How many in these times say: would that I could gaze upon His form, His figure, His garment, His shoes! Lo! Thou seest Him, touchest Him, eatest Him. He gives Himself to thee, not merely to look upon, but even to touch, to eat, and to receive within... Consider at whose table thou eatest! For we are fed with that which the angels view with trepidation and which they cannot contemplate without fear because of Its splendor. We become one with Him: we become one Body and one Flesh with Christ."... "Jesus, for the burning love He bore us, wished to unite Himself so closely to us that we should become one and the same with Him for such is the dream of true lovers."... "Holy Communion makes us eager for virtue and prompt to practice it, at the same time imparting deep peace, and thus rendering sweet and easy the road to holiness." St John is also called: "The Doctor of the Eucharist".

No other doctors, according to Rengers' Doctor book, listed in the sources, received this glorious title among all the 33 doctors. Here we might recall another comparison. Among the 264 popes, it is only St Pius X that is best remembered for his encouragement of the frequent reception of Holy Communion, especially by children. There can be no doubt, that Pius had read and studied Chrysostom and knew that the best way to "restore all things in Christ" was to proclaim the immeasurable benefits of the Eucharist. The "Doctor of the Eucharist" and the Pope of the Eucharist clearly tell us that more than himself, Christ could not give and less than himself, he would not give.

All the doctors were lovers of the Eucharist and oriented toward everyone in an eucharistic manner. Many have expressed beautiful quotes on the "Bread of Heaven" and the "Cup of our Salvation" at the website www.therealpresence.org. The Real Presence Association, Inc., and Eucharistic Education and Adoration may be contacted at 773-586-7809. By going to the below site and clicking on Eucharist and then Personal Testimonies, one will see 14 beautiful pages of sublime statements and experiences on the Holy Eucharists:

      http:www.therealpresence.org

Another excellent source is by going to

http://www.bobandpennylord.com or calling 1-800-633-2484 one will find many histories and miracles on the Eucharist that will profoundly amaze you.

As John is considered the Doctor of the Eucharist let us consider the MOTHER OF THE EUCHARIST on this site-(what you are about to see may be a bit shocking and surprising):

http://www.madredelleucaristia.it/

For additional links on St John:
      http://www.chrysostom.org/
      
      http://bible.crosswalk.com/History/AD/EarlyChurchFathers/
      http://rumkatkilise.org/

The Doctor of the Eucharist has much to share with us when we spend time with our Lord in thanksgiving after communion each day when possible. It is there we will realize that God is calling us to be perfect despite our imperfections, calling us to spiritual union despite our disunity in actions and words and calling us to please God in all manners despite our displeasing sins. The spiritual Fire that the eucharist contains is the same Flame that burned in the bush that transformed Moses' face on Mount Sinai where he received the Ten Commandments. Others will see our illumination on our face when we act kindly and charitable in our words and actions.