St John Chrysostom - "The Golden Mouth"

Some of us have at least heard of or have even seen, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen.  The original T.V. priest, presented a catechetical hour, weekly on national television.  With his 'magic' blackboard he announced the truths of sacred scripture, and the Catholic Church, to a catholic and non-Catholic audience.  He was both dynamic and charismatic.  St John Chrysostom was the 4th century version of Bishop Sheen.  He was known as an articulate and powerful speaker who offered a no-nonsense approach to the scriptures and Christian life.

John's zealous beginnings originated as a monk and hermit.  He was known to be very well educated and pious in prayer and practice.  As a bishop he was rigorous but very popular in spiritual direction and pastoral matters.  One source describes him as being "outspoken and excited" when he preached from the pulpit.  To be sure he seems to have been a natural born teacher.

Like in every age of the Church, there was division and conflict in the Church at the time of St John.  John Chrysostom worked eagerly to bring about a sense of unity in his communities, and the larger Church itself.  Because of the clarity of his teaching, and powerful preaching ability, he was fulfilling that task.  He began to break down many of the barriers between the different communities and draw peoples from the various ethnic and cultural groups together. 

But his love for the people of God, and his work at bringing together the various communities did not go unchallenged.  Some saw his ministry as a threat.  The Empress Eudoxia had him exiled to a remote section of Armenia.  He died there shorty thereafter.

The Word of God has power and effect.  It transforms and changes our lives and can bring about transformation in the world.  Sometimes we take time o articulate what divides us.  But the Paschal Mystery is the profession which unites us to God and the Body of Christ.  The greater insight we gain the more we can see ourselves as members of Christ's life.  Our Mass prayers today offer us the grace to be zealous and faithful to the Mystery of Faith which we celebrate and the love that we bear.