Monday, September 19 : Saint John Chrysostom

Nothing is more cold than a christian who is not dedicated to saving others. In this respect there can be no pretense of poverty: the widow who gave her two tiny coins would rise up and call you to account (Lk 21:2). Peter too, who said: “Silver and gold have I none” (Acts 3:6). And Paul, who was so poor that he often went hungry and lacked the necessary means to live on (1 Cor 4:11). Neither can you protest your humble birth: they too were of modest degree. Ignorance won’t give you any better excuse: they were uneducated as well … It’s no good claiming sickness: Timothy was subject to frequent illnesses (1 Tm 5:23) … Anybody at all can be of service to his neighbor if he would do what he can … Don’t say that it’s impossible for you to draw others because, if you are a christian, it’s impossible that you shouldn’t. Every tree bears its own fruit (Mt 17:17 f.) and, since there is no contradiction in nature, what we are saying is likewise true since it follows from the very nature of a christian … It is easier for light to be darkness than that the christian should not shine !
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team