Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor

My good friend gave me the plaque hanging in our garden “The garden is my happy place.” Indeed, it is!

Today’s Gospel powerfully speaks of the garden. “For every tree is known by its own fruit and a good tree does not produce rotten fruit.” As gardeners know, it is imperative to rid plants of weeds, debris, diseased leaves, etc., to provide plants with their ability to produce good fruit. Likewise, sin is a detriment to making a good life. When we uproot our sins, we free ourselves to provide the love and goodness God places within our hearts – the good fruit! Vigorous plants need fertilizer and likewise, we need nourishment to perfect God’s love and goodness within. When we attend Mass, we are nourished by His Word as we allow its meaning to take root within us and we are nourished at the table of the Lord when we receive His life-giving gift to us, the Eucharist.

The Gospel reminds us of the importance of a strong foundation. The Word of God must be firmly rooted within us to empower us to resist temptation and strengthen us to withstand the storms we encounter throughout our lifetime.

Today, we honor Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Let us heed his words in his homily: Do you wish to honor the body of Christ? Do not ignore him when he is naked. Do not pay him homage in the temple clad in silk, only then to neglect him outside where he is cold and ill-clad. He who said: “This is my body” is the same who said: “You saw me hungry and you gave me no food”, and “Whatever you did to the least of my brothers you did also to me”…

Prayer:

Dearest Father, Thank you for this day. Please forgive any sin within me that prevents me from being your servant. I offer you all that I am and all that I am, and I ask that you show me the way to give your love and hope to all I may meet today. May they see your smile in my smile, may they feel your touch through my hands, and may they see your love in my eyes. Lord, God, show me the way. Amen.