Virtue: Wisdom
Resolution: I choose to seek the mind of Christ and discern the appropriate response.
Human Story: St. John Chrysostom (349-407)
John was born in the city of Antioch (pop. 300,000) where the disciples of Christ were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). When John was an infant his father died, so he was raised solely by his mother toward a life of piety. From an early age John was exposed to the rigors of elite philosophical and rhetorical training. In his early years John championed monasticism, though after two years living as a hermit in the Antiochian mountains John returned to the city due to poor health. Eventually ordained as a priest in Antioch, he often preached on practical matters that could be easily understood. His homilies were thick with the stuff of everyday life and included themes like marriage, family, and a Christian response to poverty. He was given the nickname “Chrysostom,” derived from the Greek word meaning “golden-mouth,” due to his brilliant and piercing sermons. There are over 800 of his sermons available to us today, many of which can be found online. His most well-known sermon, his Easter Sermon (or Paschal Homily), is still being preached today, some 1600 years later. St John’s powerful and prophetic preaching garners the respect of all three major streams of Christianity — Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant.
St. John Chrysostom’s tenure as priest in Antioch (AD 386-397) took place a mere 50 years after Constantine declared Christianity the official religion. His powerful homilies would last as many as two hours and often be interrupted by applause. This fervor attracted the political powers of the day, resulting in a reluctant Chrysostom being kidnapped away from Antioch and forcefully appointed Bishop of Constantinople, the capital city of the Roman Empire at the time. As Archbishop, Chrysostom continued in his bold commitment to Scripture and prophetic proclamation common to his sermons in Antioch, only now he was within earshot of the imperial court. It was here that John challenged the lax morals and overindulgence in sensuality that was so prominent in the capital city. While Chrysostom’s homilies provided powerful and liberating words for some, they were incriminating to others. A decade into his bishopric, Chrysostom was exiled by the Empress Eudoxia, but since a riot ensued as a result of his exile, the empress recalled John the very next day. Upon his return he continued to fire his homiletical darts at the same targets, and Chrysostom was exiled a second time in 404 where he spent his remaining days until his death in 407.
Chrysostom continues to speak to us today. Our Anglican Daily Morning and Evening Prayers conclude with the prayer of St. John Chrysostom: “Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us.” His life teaches us that in our own experiences of exile, whatever they may be, our Father sees what we so often cannot see from our human aperture. That is why it is so important to seek the mind of Christ and rely upon His wisdom to guide our daily steps.
References
Behr, J. (Ed.). (1981). St John Chrysostom: On wealth and poverty. Crestwood, NY: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Ware, K. (1994). John Chrysostom: More than a great preacher. Christian History, 44. Retrieved from https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/chrysostom-more-than-a-great-preacher
Lesson: Matthew 10:16 (NKJV)
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
The following is an excerpt from John Chrysostom’s homily on Matthew 10:16.
[Jesus] says, Be therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But what, it might be said, will our wisdom avail in so great dangers? Nay, how shall we be able to have wisdom at all, when so many waves are drenching us all over? For let a sheep be ever so wise, when it is in the midst of wolves, and so many wolves, what will it be able to do? Let the dove be ever so harmless, what will it profit, when so many hawks are assailing it? In the brutes indeed, not at all: but in you as much as possible.
But let us see what manner of wisdom He here requires. That of the serpent, He says. For even as that animal gives up everything, and if its very body must be cut off, does not very earnestly defend it, so that it may save its head; in like manner do thou also, says He, give up everything but the faith; though goods, body, life itself, must be yielded. For that is the head and the root; and if that be preserved, though thou lose all, you will recover all with so much the more splendor. On this account then He neither commanded to be merely a simple and single-hearted sort of person, nor merely wise; but has mixed up both these, so that they may become virtue; taking in the wisdom of the serpent that we may not be wounded in our vitals; and the harmlessness of the dove, that we may not retaliate on our wrongdoers, nor avenge ourselves on them that lay snares; …
Let not then any one account His injunctions impracticable. For He beyond all others knows the nature of things; He knows that fierceness is not quenched by fierceness, but by gentleness. And if in men's actual deeds too you would see this result, read the book of the Acts of the Apostles, and you will see how often, when the people of the Jews had risen up against them and were sharpening their teeth, these men, imitating the dove, and answering with suitable meekness, did away with their wrath, quenched their madness, broke their impetuosity. As when they said, Did not we strictly command you, that you should not speak in this name? Although able to work any number of miracles, they neither said nor did anything harsh, but answered for themselves with all meekness, saying, Whether it be right to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Have you seen the harmlessness of the dove? Behold the wisdom of the serpent. For we cannot but speak the things, which we know and have heard. Do you see how we must be perfect on all points, so as neither to be abased by dangers, nor provoked by anger?
Remembrance
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom – Book of Common Prayer
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
Challenge
The prayer of Chrysostom is found in the morning prayer of most prayer books (and is in the remembrance section above). A challenge for this week is to pray this prayer each morning. The pattern and routine of praying the morning prayer can be a way to spiritually discipline ourselves.
The prayer of Chrysostom includes the words from Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Make a goal to pray with someone else this week. It could be a family member, roommate, or someone from your church. Praying with others isn’t always easy for us, but it can be a time to develop connection and community with other believers.
Reflection
Reflect on Chrysostom’s quote: “taking in the wisdom of the serpent that we may not be wounded in our vitals; and the harmlessness of the dove, that we may not retaliate on our wrongdoers, nor avenge ourselves on them that lay snares.” What do you think this looks like in your own life and circumstances?
Further Growth
2021: Book of Common Prayer Proper 15
Old Testament: Proverbs 9:1-6
Psalm: Psalm 147
New Testament: Ephesians 5:3-14
Gospel: John 6:53-59
2020: Book of Common Prayer Proper 17
Old Testament: Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm: Psalm 26
New Testament: Romans 12:1-8
Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27