Sept 13 2018 - St. John Chyrsostom and loving one's enemies

St. John Chrysostom was born in Antioch in the 4th century.  It is unclear whether his parents were Christian or pagan, but we do know that he was baptized around the age of 18. While studying civil law, he felt the call to enter monastic life, but discerning it wasn’t quite his calling, he was ordained a deacon and then a priest for the Church of Antioch.

The young priest soon garnered a reputation for his eloquent preaching. He was as Blessed John Henry Newman said, “a bright, cheerful, gentle soul; a sensitive heart,” who helped the people apply the Scriptures to their daily lives. About 600 hundred of his sermons and commentaries on scripture have been preserved, as well as many treatises on the moral and spiritual life, and a very famous book on the priesthood.

John's influence on our Christian life continues to be evident; he is cited by our current Catechism in eighteen sections, particularly his teachings on Christian prayer.

Commenting on today’s Gospel, in which the Lord teaches us to love, to show charity, to our enemies, St. John Chrysostom comments:

“Let us “be merciful,” not simply so, but “as our heavenly Father is.” (Lc 6,36). He feeds even adulterers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and what shall I say? Those having every kind of wickedness. For in so large a world there must needs be many such. But nevertheless He feeds all; He clothes all. No one ever perished of hunger, unless one did so of his own choice. So let us be merciful. If one be in want and in necessity, help him. (Homily XI)”

The Lord’s command to love one’s enemies has been one of his most difficult teachings for 2000 years. It seems counter-intuitive that Christians are to feed, clothe, protect, heal those outside the Church, those who persecute us, those who undermine the work of the Gospel, those whose politics we disagree with, those who may have hurt us in the past.

St. John Chysrostom helps us to understand and be faithful to this challenging teaching: that Christians are to reflect the love of God, who sent His Son to die for us all, by showing charity to all, no matter what. We cannot withhold charity because we are angry with someone, even disgusted by someone or their lifestyle.

“The measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you." If we expect God to be merciful toward us, we must be merciful toward others. May St. John Chyrsostom by his faithful teaching and eloquent preaching continue to help us to be faithful to all the Lord commands for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the bishops of the Church will act as true prophets through their faithful teaching, their courageous witness, and their self-sacrificing love. We pray to the Lord.

That government leaders around the world may carry out their duties with justice, honesty, and respect for freedom and the dignity of human life.  We pray to the Lord.

For the grace to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, to love our neighbors and enemies and those who persecute us, and to share the truth of the Gospel with all.  We pray to the Lord.

For all those who share in the sufferings of Christ—the sick, the sorrowful, and those who are afflicted or burdened in any way, especially those effected by hurricanes and storms.  We pray to the Lord.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased clergy and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, for the poor souls in purgatory, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray to the Lord.

O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.