HOMILY FOR THE MEMORIAL OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, BISHOP AND DOCTOR.
THEME: The golden mouth!
BY: Rev Fr Oselumhense Anetor
HOMILY FOR TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2022
I Cor.12:12-14,27-31; Luke 7:11-17
I am naturally drawn to names, especially ones that are peculiar in their spelling and pronunciation. I became fascinated with the name Chrysostom a long time ago. There was nothing to it at the time; I just loved the way it was spelt and pronounced. It even became more fascinating when I learned it meant “golden mouth.” I went like, “golden mouth? That’s so cool!” John was called Chrysostom because he somehow always had the right words. He wrote so much and taught tirelessly, in favour of the Catholic faith. No wonder he had as many enemies as he had followers.
Friends, ‘golden mouthness’ is a gift. Paul knew just what to say to the Corinthians who were busy dividing God’s Church. He even gave them a kind of hierarchy of gifts, urging them to seek the higher gifts. In the same way, Jesus knew that raising the widow of Nain’s only son from the dead was the greatest ‘speech’ he needed to give her under the circumstances. Let’s start acting more like apostles with a message of unity, hope and peace. We pray through the intercession of John Chrysostom, for the grace to be able to say the right things and do the right things, even when circumstances may not be too favourable, Amen.
Good morning dear. God bless your day ahead.