Wednesday of the 23rd week in ordinary time year A
Col. 3:1-11 Luke 6:20-26
Theme: Seek the things that are above
Today the church celebrates the memorial of St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the church. He had a wonderful knowledge of the scriptures and was a good preacher. So, he was given the name Chrysostom, which means “golden mouth”. He spent quite some time in exile before he died. Amidst the challenges he faced, he remained steadfast until the end. His life and challenges, affirms the fact that there is a price to pay if we want to always stand with God. No wonder Jesus emphasized the fact that we must work hard to enter through the narrow gate if we desire to make heaven.
The lives of the saints that we celebrate in the church should be a source of great strength to all of us as children of God. This is because they passed through their own difficulties and challenges in their daily lives, but they remained steadfast until the end, that is why they are celebrated by the church. If they gave up because of the difficulties they encountered in their lives, we will not be celebrating them today in the church. Always remember that our salvation package includes the challenges and difficulties of life. It is wrapped in joy and sorrow, pain, and comfort and so forth. We cannot choose some and drop others; we must learn how to handle all of them with wisdom. The saint whose memorial we celebrate today did not have it smooth and easy, he had difficult times that gave rise to him going into exile. But he remained resolute and steadfast until the end. Always remember that nothing good comes easy in life.
This consciousness will go a long way towards helping us to be mindful of the things that truly matters in our lives, as presented to us by St. Paul in todays 1st reading. We are all encouraged to seek the things that are in heaven, not what the world is presenting to us that is fleeting and temporal. St. John Chrysostom was conscious of this fact and his life was guided by it. That is why he refused to give in to the challenges and difficulties that he encountered, he remained resolute until the end. It is important to always remember that our stay here on earth is temporal and will come to an end someday. So, let us work for the things of heaven that are eternal and permanent, unlike what the earth is offering us here and now.
Remember, it is never too late for us to embrace the invitation to seek the things of heaven, you can begin now. We pray that through the intercession of St. John Chrysostom may almighty God bless you in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.