Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Proper readings for the Memorial of St. John Chrysostom
 
Biographical Information about St. John Chrysostom
 

“Saint John Chrysostom”
artist and date are unknown

Readings for Tuesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time [1]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
 
Readings and Commentary: [3]
 
Reading 1: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31a
 
Brothers and sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
 
Now the body is not a single part, but many.
 
Now you are Christ’s Body, and individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the Church
to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
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Commentary on 1 Cor 12:12-14, 27-31a
 
St. Paul continues to exhort the Corinthian Christians to unity using the analogy of the body which, while it has many parts, still has a unified purpose, each part cooperating to a common goal. The Apostle emphasizes that diversity of function is necessary for the church, as well as the body: “Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?” His emphasis for the individual is to strive for spiritual gifts, a discernment of roles within the body of Christ which is the Church. (see also Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:11).
 
CCC: 1 Cor 12:26-27 953; 1 Cor 12:26 1469; 1 Cor 12:27 1265; 1 Cor 12:28 1508; 1 Cor 12:30 1508
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5
 
R. (3) We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
 
Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands;
serve the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
 
Know that the Lord is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
 
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
 
For he is good, the Lord,
whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
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Commentary on Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5
 
Psalm 100 is a communal song of thanksgiving in which the psalmist invites the people to come to God with praise and thanksgiving for the wondrous things he has done. In this selection the psalmist gives thanks for God’s favor and his unending support in all good things. It affirms God’s saving grace given to his sons and daughters through all generations. The song recalls God the creator whose love and fidelity knows no bounds.
 
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Gospel: Luke 7:11-17
 
Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain,
and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.
As he drew near to the gate of the city,
a man who had died was being carried out,
the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.
A large crowd from the city was with her.
When the Lord saw her,
he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
“Do not weep.”
He stepped forward and touched the coffin;
at this the bearers halted,
and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
The dead man sat up and began to speak,
and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
“A great prophet has arisen in our midst,”
and “God has visited his people.”
This report about him spread through the whole of Judea
and in all the surrounding region.
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Commentary on Lk 7:11-17
 
St. Luke’s Gospel continues the description of Jesus' ministry. Just prior to this event, Jesus healed the centurion’s servant. He now demonstrates his power over sin and death as he raises the widow’s son from the dead. “Jesus' power over death prepares for his reply to John's disciples in Luke 7:22: 'the dead are raised.' This resuscitation, in alluding to the prophet Elijah's resurrection of the only son of a widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-24), leads to the reaction of the crowd: 'A great prophet has arisen in our midst'(Luke 7:16).” [4]
 
CCC: Lk 7:11-17 994; Lk 7:16 1503
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Reflection:
 
What does God call us to do – to be in his service?  He sent his Only Begotten Son to us to show us how to follow him, and as the great revelation of his love for us.  He gave us prophets and Scripture that chronicle his involvement in human history from the dawn of creation.  His Son, Jesus, selected and trained the Apostles to carry on his message and teaching.  But where do we fit into his great plan of salvation?
 
Anyone who takes their faith seriously has asked this question, probably countless times.  Very few individuals hear a clear answer and see the vision God has for their lives.  Some of the saints seem to have had that gift (a “divine compulsion” as St. Paul says).  But each time we ask the question, our logical minds may not hear a clear answer.  Frequently, it is only looking at past events that we can see the direction in which God has pushed us.  Often that direction is unexpected, and occasionally quite uncomfortable.
 
St. Paul, in his exhortation to the Corinthians, speaks of the need for different vocations within the community of faith.  How thankful we are that his observation remains true to this day.  The very idea that different individuals have been given different gifts, and called in different ways to God’s service, gives us comfort. How ineffective the Church would be if all its members did exactly the same kinds of things.  It would be as if all the workers on an automotive assembly line only put seats in the car.  Who would build the body? Who would put on the wheels, or put in the drive train?  The car would never be built.
 
The comfort comes when, in our own discernment, we find we cannot do all that needs to be done.  If it were entirely up to us as individuals, we would despair (perhaps as Christ did as he prayed in the garden); so much to do and our efforts seem so insignificant.  It is at these times that we remember all those who ask as we do. What is it that God needs and wants?  They will take up their share as well, and in God’s time and way, his mission will be accomplished.
 
There, the weight is lifted from our shoulders.  We are not alone.  All the angels and saints, as well as our brothers and sisters, take up their unique parts of the challenge and we move forward.
 
Pax
 

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[1] The picture used is of “Saint John Chrysostom” artist and date are unknown.
[2] S.S. Commemoratio
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[4] NAB footnote on Luke 7:11ff.