The Gospel for The memorial of St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor is taken from Luke 6:43, 49. Jesus said to his disciples, a good tree does not bear rotten fruit. Nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thorn bushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles.
A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good. But an evil person out of the store of evil produces evil. For from the fulness of the heart the mouth speaks. Why do you call me Lord, Lord, but not do what I command? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words and acts on them. The one is like a man building a house who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock.
When the flood came, the river burst against the house but could not shake it because it was well built. But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who builds a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river bursts against it, it collapses at once and was completely destroyed. It may be hard for us to realize that any authenticity that we have, any power to truly be a transforming agent for anyone else, we have to be integrated. We have to know who we are. We have to embrace everything about us.
In that way we are able to change people. Because what we’re producing comes from something deep inside of us that’s more than us. It’s the heart that speaks. And the heart is the home of the Holy Spirit in all of us. And when we’re speaking in his name, when we’re speaking with his truth within us, there is great fruitfulness and all are fed. Please reflect on the meaning of these scriptures.
And after the music, I will close with a prayer. Satan Sa Sam Satan Closing prayer Father, we know that we are here to learn and to understand. And knowledge can bring us to a certain point. But ultimately, what we rely upon is this awesome Holy Spirit within us that doesn’t just teach us, but transforms us into the truth of the teaching. And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.