Written by Sr. Rosemary Finnegan, O.P.
Readings from: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091322.cfm
Last year, my sister-in-law became a widow when my brother Mike died after a short bout with cancer. Then, sadly, and to all our surprise, their oldest son, my nephew Sean, died suddenly 9 months later of a massive heart attack leaving a wife and 7 children. So, when I read today’s gospel about the grieving widow losing her son, I could understand her plight only too well.
In her case, however, we don’t even know her name or how her son died. Was it sudden as well, or did he have a chronic illness and had she spent her days caring for him? Imagine this sad gospel scene: a crowd of people making their way down a narrow street in a funeral procession…a little Jewish woman being almost carried along by her family and friends…the sounds of her constant crying. Her grief must have been overwhelming, but she did not go unnoticed.
Jesus saw her crying and was moved to compassion. Did he even know her? Did it matter? Making his way through the grief-stricken people, he went over to the coffin and gently said: “Young man, I tell you, arise.” If ever that poor widow had faith and hope in her heart, it must have been at that moment. The young man, indeed, did sit up. Imagine her total joy and delight, and the crowd’s outbursts of praise and glory.
Today the Church celebrates St. John Chrysostom, who was such an eloquent and uncompromising preacher that he was given the name Chrysostom, meaning ‘golden mouth’. Born in 347 in Antioch, he received an excellent classical Greek education, and upon meeting a compassionate bishop, he decided to devote his time to the study of religious works and the Sacred Scriptures. He was baptized and soon set out for the desert to live the life of a hermit.
His extreme mortifications left him in fragile health, so he returned to Antioch and devoted himself to studying for the priesthood. He was ordained in 386 and served in the Cathedral of Antioch for 12 years, winning widespread fame for his eloquent preaching. In 398 he was forcefully appointed Patriarch of Constantinople, and was very popular with his flock. He constantly criticism the imperial power, however, who were quite decadent, and this got him in trouble. He was exiled to Armenia by the Empress where he died in 407.
What do the story of the widow and the life of St. John Chrysostom have in common for us today? St. John was renowned for preaching that the Scriptures must apply to all the situations in our daily lives. One of his famous quotes is: “If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at the church door, you will not find Him in the chalice.” Jesus is setting the example for us today to find him in those who need help, especially the poorest among us, and to act with compassion and mercy. St. John Chrysostom would want these Sacred Scriptures to motivate, guide and encourage us to act accordingly every day. May it be so.
