Thursday, September 13, 2018

Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom, bishop and doctor of the Church

(I Corinthians 8:1b-7.11-13; Luke 6:27-38)

Reading a biographical sketch of St. John Chrysostom, one is reminded of Pope Francis.  Like Francis, John was an excellent preacher.  In fact, the appellation “Chrysostom” means golden-mouth.  He was also a bishop of an imperial see who lived in simplicity and befriended the poor.  John made enemies among the elite for his outspoken opposition to aristocratic extravagances.  He particularly criticized churchmen for unseemly wealth and abuse of power.  The lives of both John and Francis indicate an assimilation of today’s readings.

St. Paul tells the Corinthians that love demands sacrifices.  He says that even if some desired action is not evil but would cause scandal, one should not do it out of love.  Paul’s words reflect a profound acceptance of Jesus’ teaching. The Lord commands his disciples to love even their enemies.  Their love must do more than wish the other person well.  It must be willing to make sacrifices for the person.

It is fair to ask if Jesus should be taken literally when he tells us to “’give to everyone who asks of you.’”  I do not believe that it is necessary that we give everything others may request.  But we do have to try to meet people’s basic needs.  We are to clothe the naked and feed the hungry.  We are also to honor the God-like dignity of every man and woman.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Thursday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 8:1b-7.11-13; Luke 6: 27-38)

Both St. Paul in the epistle and Jesus in the gospel today speak of love.  Neither makes the claim that it is easy, much less delightful.  Paul would have his readers sacrifice what they have a right to for the sake of a skittish soul.  He suggests that they fast from meat if one in their numbers is an animal lover.  Jesus typically goes a mile farther.  His followers are to allow others to take from them without making compensation!

Something should be said about the precise meaning of these passages.  The Church has people who are scandalized over small things like buying milk on Sunday.  Following Jesus literally, one might conclude that she should leave her house unlocked.  But there can be no doubt that love tries the soul.  As Dorothy Day both pointed out and lived: “…(L)ove in action is a harsh and dreadful thing compared with love in dreams.”  

It would be a worthy exercise for us to list the people whom we know.  Then next to each name we should write what sacrifices we made for that person.  If the sacrifices are costly, we can say that we are fulfilling today’s gospel mandate.