Monday, July 31, 2023
Sunday, July 30, 2023
St. Peter Chrysologus: Bishop and Doctor of the Church
St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor, ca. 406-450 A.D.
"The golden-worded"
Like St. John Chrysostom, who earned the surname "Chrysostom", which means "golden tongue", St. Peter Chrysologus also earned his surname "Chrysologus", which means "the golden-worded" or "golden-speaker", because of his great eloquence and preaching abilities.
Born at Imola and chosen bishop of Ravenna
St. Peter was born at Imola, Emilia, in Italy and studied Sacred Theology under Bishop Cornelius of Imola - who also ordained him as deacon. St. Peter's election as bishop of Ravenna was a surprise and founded on legend. The story goes like this. The people of Ravenna have already elected their bishop. However, Pope St. Sixtus III refused the one elected by the people and instead chose St. Peter Chrysologus. This was because of a vision the Pope had of St. Appolinarius (first bishop of Ravenna), who told him to choose Peter Chrysologus. That was the legend.
In his position then as bishop of Ravenna, St. Peter set out to reform his diocese and free it from paganism. His first sermon impressed the Empress Galla Placidia so much that she gave her all out support for Peter's ambitious building projects.
St. Peter Chrysologus' sermons
The homilies of St. Peter were short; he did not want to tire his listeners. But his sermons were greatly known as being powerful that he was named Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XIII in 1729 A.D. Peter's sermons were collected by Bishop Felix of Ravenna in the eighth century. There are about one hundred seventy-six of these existing today. They cover biblical texts, the Apostles' Creed, sermons on the Blessed Virgin and other themes. Though these written sermons cannot indicate the intensity and fervor by which he preached and delivered them, there are of him preaching with such vehemence that he became speechless at certain times because of great excitement.
Feast day is July 30
In ca. 450 A.D., Peter received a revelation of his approaching death and decided to return to his home town in Imola. He died at Imola on July 31 and his feast is celebrated as an optional memorial in the Church's liturgical calendar every July 30.
His Lenten sermon and teaching
Probably one of his best sermons is the Lenten sermon he composed about prayer, fasting, and mercy. This Lenten sermon of St. Peter Chrysologus is also found in the non-biblical section of readings at the back pages of the breviary. What St. Peter says in this Lenten sermon is simple, but when applied to one's Christian life, is powerfully effective. He says in this sermon:
"There are three things, my brethren, by which faith stands firm, devotion remains constant, and virtue endures. They are prayer, fasting, and mercy. Prayer knocks at the door, fasting obtains, mercy receives. Prayer, fasting and mercy: these three are one, and they give life to each other."
Related resources:
- Dictionary of Saints, by John J. Delaney
- "A Year with the Saints" by Don Bosco Press, Inc.
- "Doctors of the Church" by Fink
- "Saints for Our Time" by Ransom
17th Sunday of the Year (A)
July 27, 2014
Liturgical readings
1 Kings 3:5, 7-12
Psalm 119
Romans 8:28-30
Matthew 13:44-52
"The reign of God is like a merchant's search for fine pearls."
One of the favorite themes of Jesus' preaching is the "reign of God" or the "kingdom of heaven". Both point to an eternal reality - one that is gift and mystery. Since this truth is beyond our capacity to understand, the Lord refers to it by means of parables. Through parables, Jesus speaks familiar realities to ordinary people of His time. Parables give glimpses of what the kingdom of heaven is. Shepherds, merchants, and fishermen easily understand when the Lord speaks to them of "a buried treasure", "a merchant's search for fine pearls" and "a dragnet that collects all sorts of things from the lake".
In relation to this, the Catechism of the Church says that everyone is called to the kingdom of God, because the Catholic Church is an inclusive spiritual family. She wants to extend the good news of salvation to all. This good news is proclaimed daily in the Mass, and it is brought to mission lands where the faith has not yet taken root. As with Christ, the missionaries bring the good news of God's kingdom to the "shepherds", "merchants" and "fishermen" of our present generation. Hearing the good news, they learn the truth of the kingdom by becoming Christians (Catechism #543-546).
Many seasoned Catholics educated in Catholic schools, are fortunate due to their roots in family and school. Since youth, these seasoned Catholics have been educated with a world of meaning directed to what is essential - the "search for fine pearls". These pearls are simply the wisdom, joy, peace, and perseverance needed in the journey of faith and life. In these perilous times, these "spiritual pearls" can provide the vision and wisdom to follow the Lord's light, and avoid paths to darkness and sin. The practice of the Church and human experiences continue to shepherd seasoned Catholics towards God's kingdom. Seasoned Catholics are given much; and so they are required to contribute to the mission of the Church in any way they can.
Scripture quotes for reflection:
"We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His decree." (Romans 8)