9/13/2013 – Friday of 23rd week in Ordinary Time – John Chrysostom - Luke 6:39-42

      Hypocrisy is one of the things Jesus criticizes most in the Pharisees and Scribes.  They lord their faith over others, they are always so quick to criticize others, but they fail to look at themselves and their own shortcomings.  We need good examples of faith to help us on our journey.  We need those who will nurture us and guide us.  John Chrysostom is considered one of the most important Early Church Fathers.  He was born in the middle of the 4^th century in Antioch.  As a young adult, he became an anchorite in the mountains surrounding Antioch. An anchorite is a type of hermit that lives separate from the world, devoting his life to prayer and love of the Eucharist.   However, John was eventually ordained as a priest when he returned form the wilderness due to poor health.  John Chrysostom became an important theologian, liturgist, and preacher as the Archbishop of Constantinople, one of the most important centers of Christianity in the Early Church.  His outspoken nature and his direct honesty made him many enemies.  However, he is revered to this day in our Church for his great contributions to our faith.  One quote of his that I like is this: “An comprehended god is no god.”   Lord, we pray to you for help with our hypocrisy, for the way we judge our brothers and sisters, for the way we do not want to see our own faults.  Please guide us on the right path.