Sep 13 – Memorial for St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor
John’s (347-407) father died when he was young, and he was raised by a very pious mother. It was for his sermons that John earned the title ‘Chrysostom’ (golden-mouthed). They were always on point, they explained the scriptures with clarity, and they sometimes went on for hours.
As bishop, he criticised the rich for not sharing their wealth, fought to reform the clergy, prevented the sale of ecclesiastical offices, called for fidelity in marriage, and encouraged practices of justice and charity. St. John’s sermons caused nobles and bishops to work to remove him from his diocese; twice, he was exiled from his diocese. He was proclaimed Doctor of the Church in 451.
- Patron Saint Index
1 Tim 1:15-17
Lk 6:43-49
“For a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart.”
If some of you find the header familiar, I can only say it reveals your vintage. In today’s fast-paced world where WhatsApp chats are becoming de rigeur, it is quite understandable if ‘phrases’ like YOLO, FOMO, ICYMI, IMHO seem out of reach. I recall hearing ‘wee-zee-weeg’ in the late 90s, when my ex-boss uttered it in a meeting with a client, in defence of some work we were proposing. When the client furrowed his eyebrows, my ex-boss said, “What you see is what you get.”
And so it was with Jesus, as He preached across Jerusalem and the neighbouring lands. He called it as it was every time, and called out those who spoke with ill intentions in their hearts; for He knew all that was going through their hearts, good or bad. For many of us who have experienced corporate life, we have probably been ‘victims’ of those who have spoken with ‘forked tongues’ at one point or another. I don’t miss those environments where you spend have the time wondering if a colleague is being nice to you because he/she was really sincere; or wanted something out of you.
I am blessed to be able to serve at the Catholic Spirituality Centre (CSC), with a spiritual director whom I shall call ‘the smiling priest’. This is because every time we see him, he wears a genuine smile that communicates the love of Jesus. Even as he is preaching, the smile is a constant. Truly, Father P is a shining example of how what someone says flows out from his heart. His words of love, encouragement, and gratitude always touch the hearts of the congregation and I can see everyone truly lapping up every word that comes from his mouth – whether during a retreat or at our monthly overnight vigils.
Brothers and sisters, we hurry around so much in our daily lives that we sometimes forget to ‘interact’ with others around us. There was a day I left my phone in the office as I headed out for lunch with a new colleague. We ended up bonding over a simple meal of fish soup in a hawker centre, sharing our experiences. He was surprised that I didn’t have my phone with me and made a passing remark about how rare it was for someone in the communications line to not have his phone. I smiled and said, “It’s because this time was meant for us to communicate with each other.”
So, the next time we are at mass or in the adoration chapel/room, try leaving the phone in the car or just turning it off. It may allow you to discern better the words that are touching your heart, coming from the greatest communicator of them all – Jesus.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Desmond Soon)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are sorry that we shut you off and pay more heed to our devices and our distractions. Help us continue to seek your Word in the silence of our hearts.
Thanksgiving: Thank you Father, for always listening to us as we unburden ourselves in your presence.
OXYGEN 
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