Commentary of the day
Saint John Chrysostom (c.345-407), priest at Antioch then Bishop of Constantinople, Doctor of the Church
Homilies on the Acts of the apostles, no. 20
To be leaven in the dough
Is there anything more ridiculous than a christian who couldn't care less about other people? Don't use your poverty as an excuse. The widow who put two small coins in the Temple coffer (Mk 12,42) would rise up against you; Peter, too, who said to the lame man: “Gold or silver have I none” (Acts 3,6) and Paul, who was so poor he often went hungry. Neither protest your social condition, for the apostles were also humble men of low degree. Don't plead your ignorance for they were unlettered. Even if you were a slave or a fugitive you would always be able to do what lies in your power. Onesimus, whose praises Paul sang, was such a one (Phlm; Col 4,9). Would you claim weak health? Timothy had it too. Yes, whoever we are, anyone at all can be of service to his neighbor if he genuinely wants to do what he can.
Do you notice how the trees in the forest are flourishing, handsome, rising upwards? Nevertheless, we prefer fruit trees in our gardens or olive trees covered with fruit. Handsome, sterile trees..., such are they who are only thinking of their own interests...
If leaven doesn't cause the dough to rise then it isn't a proper raising agent. If perfume doesn't give off scent to those who are approaching, can we still call it a perfume? So don't say it's impossible to have a good influence on others because, if you are a real christian, it's impossible that nothing should happen, this is part of the very essence of being a christian... It would be as contradictory to say that a christian cannot be of any use to his neighbor as to deny the sun its ability to give light and heat.
| Tuesday, October 29, 2013 Weekday |
||
|