Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom, bishop and Doctor of the Church
(I Corinthians 9:16-19.22b-27; Luke 6:39-42)
In today’s first reading St. Paul explains why he risks his
life to preach the gospel. He does so
out of an obligation imposed upon him.
He is referring, of course, to Christ’s mandate after his revelation to
Paul on the road to Damascus.
Even with the revelation and mandate Paul must conform to
Christ. He describes this effort as athletic
training. As an athlete cannot ignore
training if she or he is to win a competition, so Paul must put heart and soul
into curtailing desires for status and comfort.
For Paul this means becoming “all things to all” people. Finally, Paul urges everyone to a similar
self-discipline so that they too are conformed to Christ.
Today the Church remembers one of the greatest Eastern
Fathers. St. John Chrysostom like Paul
suffered for preaching the gospel. As Patriarch
of Constantinople, he told the rich to help the poor. For criticizing the extravagance of the empress,
he was forced into exile. After returning to his see, a cabal of churchmen
ousted him again. He died on September
14, 407 as a result of a forced march to the place of banishment.
