Memorial of Saint
John Chrysostom, bishop and doctor of the Church
(I Timothy 1:1-2.12-14; Luke 6:39-42)
Pope Francis has raised eyebrows by moving out of the
papal apartments. This is the spirit of
St. John Chrysostom whom the Church remembers today. As Patriarch of Constantinople, then the
capital of the Roman Empire, John criticized the wealthy for not caring for the
poor. Pointedly, he accused the empress
of lavishness.
John Chrysostom criticized the aristocracy of Constantinople
as he was a faithful disciple of Jesus.
As Jesus says in today’s gospel, when a disciple is fully trained, he
will become like the master. As Jesus chastised
the powerful for neglect of charity, so John Chrysostom challenged spendthrift
Christians.
Pope Francis is calling the Church to a deeper
sensitivity toward the poor and war-weary.
No doubt, he realizes that the complexities of poverty and of warfare
are daunting. Nevertheless, he wants Catholics
to show more urgency in dealing with them.
In other words, he wants us to become true disciples of Jesus.
