December 17--St. Olympias, Widow

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Today’s saint, St. Olympias, is primarily known for her charity as well as her friendship with a saint who caused no end of trouble to the rulers of Constantinople.  St. Olympias lived from about 365 to 408 A.D. in either Constantinople or Antioch.  She was a relative of the emperors and after the death of her husband was even courted by Emperor Theodosius.  However, she dedicated her life to the Church and gave away her wealth to the needy and to the Church.  She also built a hospital and orphanage.  She became a friend and supporter of St. John Chrysostom, a patriarch of Constantinople who offended the empress, to the point of being exiled.  Her support was so strong that she, too, was exiled, ending her religious community and charitable works.  She died in exile in 408.

St. John Chrysostom wrote these words to Olympias:  “I cannot cease to call you blessed.  You have borne your sorrows with patience and dignity.  You have managed delicate affairs with prudence and wisdom.  You have thrown a veil over the malice of your persecutors with charity.  Thus you have won a glory and reward that in the future will make all your sufferings seem light and passing in the presence of eternal joy.”

Friendship is a great gift and also a responsibility.  When we have a friend, we are called to support and care for that friend to bring the friend to Jesus, our ultimate friend.  We encourage our friends in Christ so that they may develop in holiness and love.  Many saints had friends with other saints, such as Sts. Olympias and John Chrysostom.  We need to look for and develop saintly friendships so we, too, may be brought to Jesus in Heaven with our friend.  St. Olympias, pray for us.

*https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saint_Olympia.JPG

September 13—St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

The Greek word “Chrysostom” means Golden-mouth.  St. John Chrysostom had a golden mouth, meaning that he spoke with great eloquence.  He started out as a monk in Antioch and became very popular due to his homilies.  He was ordained Patriarch, or Archbishop, of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire in 398.  Constantinople was a place of intrigue and luxury.  Once ordained he began to reform the discipline of the church in Constantinople.  He also preached for better morals among the elite of government, including the empress.  Others, including some bishops in the East, feared his power in deposing corrupt bishops, and wanted him out.  Eventually, the displeasure of the empress along with those who opposed him in the Eastern Church led to his exile and ultimately to his death.

St. John Chrysostom’s homilies, writings, and letters were extensive and influential in supporting Church dogma and doctrine.  Thus, he is a Doctor of the Church.  They were also what led him to his exile because he spoke for greater moral behavior, especially among the rich, who were told to share their wealth with the poor, as befits Christians who should care for others.  In other words, St. John spoke truth, earning him enemies among the powerful.

We are called to seek truth.  We are called to live truth.  We are called to speak truth.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  When we seek Him; when we live the truth of his love; when we speak the truth of caring for others, especially the poor, even at the risk of sacrificing money, comfort, possessions, and reputation, we will also make enemies among those who think we go too far.  But love also means standing up for the truths of the faith.  We cannot have a “social” Gospel and leave it at that.  Jesus was not a social worker.  He is our Savior.  We must have the fullness of the Gospel and the fullness of the truth it contains.  The Catholic Church teaches the fullness of the Gospel and has been blessed with a magisterium that, with the grace of the Holy Spirit, can guide us in truth.  St. John Chrysostom was a preeminent member of the magisterium because of his words, but also because of his deeds.  We would do well to follow our bishop and pray for him.

If you are interested in reading more about the saints, go to Mr. Mueting’s Saint Weblog at http://mrmuetingsaints.blogspot.com/.