“THE GRACE OF OUR LORD OVERFLOWED FOR ME WITH FAITH AND LOVE THAT ARE IN CHRIST JESUS” (1 Tim 1:14)

⏰Friday of the Twenty-Third Week of Ordinary Time 1 (13 Sept. 2019 – Memorial of St. John Chrysostom)

📕1 Tim 1:1-2, 12-18; Ps 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 11 (R.v.5a); Luke 6:39-42

🎤”THE GRACE OF OUR LORD OVERFLOWED FOR ME WITH FAITH AND LOVE THAT ARE IN CHRIST JESUS” (1 Tim 1:14)

My dear, as you prepare to embrace the demands of this day, may Jesus, our dependable friend, be present to you so that you may have a peaceful and miraculous day through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.

There is an adage that says that a river that forgets its source will dry away quickly. In humility, St. Paul began his first letter to Timothy with an information that all he has achieved and became were objects of God’s grace. He would emphatically say in another place, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).

Pride normally sets in when we begin to consider that our achievements are objects or intelligence and power. That is when we begin to compare ourselves with others, and set ourselves above them.

In such comparison, we hardly see our own faults but theirs. Jesus criticized that attitude in Luke 6:39-42. We must purge ourselves of our guilts first, especially that of pride, before we begin to accuse others.

St. John Chrysostom, whose memorial we celebrate today was an Archbishop of Constantinople. He was a prolific writer and a greater preacher, whose orthodoxy was acclaimed by many. He also never forgot his foundation in Christ, which is why, despite his several condemnations to exile, his faith and sanctity remained firm.

For the grace of sanctity and firmness we also pray, “A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me… A humbled contrite heart you will not spurn” (Ps 51:10, 17). Amen.

Have a beautiful day enveloped in God’s mercy. Peace be with you.