Good Fruit and a Firm Foundation

Homily for the Memorial of St. John Chrysostom

Jesus uses two metaphors to describe his disciples in today’s Gospel text. First, he compares the good disciple to a good tree bearing good fruit. Next, he describes the prudent disciple as one who builds his house on rock rather than sand. At first, these two metaphors might seem as if they have no relationship. However, a good tree must have a good root structure in order to produce good fruit. A good root structure can be said to be similar to a good foundation.

We celebrate today the memorial of St. John Chrysostom, so-called because he was described as having a golden mouth, a mouth renowned for its teaching and preaching. When he was appointed as Archbishop of Constantinople, his life was complicated by politics. When he criticized the rich for not sharing their bounty with the poor, people of influence became very critical. When he reformed the liturgy of the Greek Church, many became critical of the changes that he made. His sermons called for all people to undergo a transformation. Many who were unwilling to change called for his removal. When he endeavored to reform the clergy, they also resented the changes. It sounds like St. John ran into the same difficulties that we still experience within the community of the Church.

St. John also experienced great suffering in his life, both physical and emotional. Physically, his body was crippled by a stomach ailment. Perhaps more distressing, however, was the fact that he was exiled twice because of the opposition to his criticism and his preaching and his reforms. He died of natural causes during the second exile. Finally, he is regarded as the patron saint of orators, preachers, and lecturers.

St. John Chrysostom stands today as an example of one who bears good fruit through his teaching, for which he was declared a Doctor of the Church, and for his patience in suffering. Had he been alive during the time of St. Timothy to whom St. Paul is writing this morning, I am sure that he would have been an example of the good pastor that St. Timothy strived to be.