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Saint John Chrysostom spoke bravely, boldly, and was perhaps the most outspoken preacher the church ever had. He comforted the disturbed and disturbed the comfortable. John would not be caught up in the politics of his day. He advocated peace and justice. For this he was banished from his place of authority.

The Doctor of Preachers message to us today is to love those who hate you and pray for those who persecute you. He showed no bitterness or malice toward those who hated and exiled him from his church. John asked to share one's wealth with the poor.

Father Rengers tells us in his book on The 33 Doctors of the Church (see doctoral resources) that John was so good at preaching that pickpockets came to his sermons and stoled as John's audience was rapt attentively by his words. He can easily lay claim to the title of the greatest preacher of Christianity.

He is also the Doctor of the Eucharist from which, we can be sure, he honed his speaking skills and found therein what to say as he listened to the Savior's sentiments while being sated with the Flesh of the Son of God.

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

The Word Among Us

Meditation: 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14

Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

He considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry. (1 Timothy 1:12)

Do you consider yourself trustworthy when it comes to the call to preach the gospel? Jesus does! He didn’t give this job just to St. Paul and the other apostles. He has given it to all of us! Exciting, isn’t it? Jesus, your Savior, Redeemer, Healer, and Friend, has deemed you worthy to carry the responsibility of telling the world about who he is.

In today’s first reading, St. Paul recalls a time when he was “a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man” (1 Timothy 1:13)—that is, until the Lord revealed himself to Paul and brought him to conversion. Then, filled with gratitude for what he had received, Paul joyfully took up the call to spread the good news far and wide.

Now, if God could use someone with a past as violent as Paul’s, why couldn’t he use you? Remember, Paul didn’t become the great “apostle to the nations” overnight. He had to deal with his old habits, assumptions, sins, and prejudices, but he didn’t wait until he was perfect to begin sharing the gospel. On the contrary, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut about the Lord!

Let Paul’s story be a source of comfort and inspiration to you today. God has entrusted the gospel to you. You don’t have to be a pastor standing in the pulpit each week, a noted theologian, or a religious brother or sister to preach the gospel. He chose you for who you are, for the gifts and talents that only you have. He chose you because of the unique way that you show people what the Christian life is like. Most important, he chose you because he knows you can do it!

So come to Jesus with a grateful heart. He has taken the scales off your eyes and commissioned you to show forth his glory and his love. Let the joy of your salvation rise up in your heart so that it can propel you into the world with the best news possible. Then look for every opportunity he gives you to share the reason for your joy.

“Lord, I am amazed that you have called me to share your good news. By your Spirit, fill me with confidence and courage to be your ambassador.”

Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11; Luke 6:39-42