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

Today's Mass Readings

I would guess that very few people reading this reflection have ever heard of St. John Chrysostom who was born around 470 at Antioch, part of what we call the Holy Land. The Church honors this early teacher and theologian on this his feast day because of his many sermons and practical reflections on the Sacred Scripture. In his day, he was called “the golden-mouthed” because of his eloquence and teaching ability.

I would suggest that the real value of remembering this nickname “golden-mouthed” is not so much to honor the particular person who got pinned with it as an ancient reminder of the critical power of the spoken word. This is the practical truth of what Jesus is teaching us in the Gospel selection for today. He reminds us that the taproot providing the power and motivation of the spoken word is always traced to the basic truth and goodness of the speaker. Philosophers would say: “You cannot give what you do not have.” Our parents and elders had a simple way of stating this wisdom: “my word is my bond.”

Unfortunately, it would seem that binding promises and contracts based on a “word and a handshake” seem unrealistic today and a thing of the past. We can wonder why. Has the world become too complicated, too cynical, and too disillusioned with broken promises? Rather than curse the darkness, perhaps courageously standing on our word at all times in all things is how we raise our little light. It is our golden response to the power of darkness.

Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB