Friday, November 12, 2004
John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria
2nd Vesp, Jn Chrysostom: Wisdom Selections 1 Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 5:9-13, 24-28
Gospel: St. Luke 12:2-12
Wisdom 6:12-16; 7:30; 8:2-4,7-9, 21; 9:1-4, 10, 11, 13 LXX,
especially vs. 8:21: "Nevertheless, when I perceived that I could not otherwise obtain her, except
God gave her me; and that was a point of wisdom also to know Whose gift she was; I prayed unto
the Lord, and besought Him...." St. John Chrysostom was born in the ancient Roman city of
Antioch in Syria. His young mother, widowed from her early twenties, devoted herself entirely to
him, refusing further prospects of marriage.
Following elementary schooling, the young John received the traditional training in the classics
of the pagan Greek poets, writers, and orators. He continued in advanced studies under the
tutelage of a famous and distinguished professor of rhetoric, Libanios, a convinced pagan who
was a friend and an admirer of the apostate Emperor Julian. The young John seemed destined to
pursue a career in government service, like his father before him, but when he completed his
studies with Libanios, a marked change occurred in his interests. He became absorbed in the
study of the Holy Scriptures and came under the influence of Meletios the confessor, a Bishop
serving the majority of the Christians in Antioch. It was from this godly man that the young John
sought Holy Baptism.
This remarkable change that occurred during the young adult life of St. John is exemplified in the
present reading from the Book of Wisdom. The selected verses begin with a series of detached
statements concerning the relationship between wisdom (vss. 6:12-16) and those who are drawn
to her only to "find her sitting at [their] doors" (vs.6:14). The next group of verses begins with
an "I" statement (vss. 8:2-21) and gives voice to all seekers, like John, who are drawn to Holy
Wisdom: "I loved her, and sought her out from my youth, I desired to make her my spouse" (vs.
8:2). The reading concludes with the prayer of all true lovers of wisdom. The principal point in
the first group of verses is that the initiative in any relationship between wisdom and "them that
desire her," lies with wisdom. "She is easily seen of them that love her, and found of such as seek
her," because "she precedeth them that desire her" (vss. 6:12,13). The active outreach of God to
mankind, so well known to the Faithful, makes it possible to apply the name "Wisdom" either to
Christ or to the Holy Spirit. As the Apostle Paul says so plainly concerning the Lord: "while we
were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). That the initiative in the Divine-human
relationship lies with the Holy Spirit is also plain, for the "Spirit works all these things,
distributing to each one individually as He wills" (1 Cor 12:11). Therefore, "whoso watcheth for
[wisdom] shall quickly be without care" (Wis. 6:15).
There follows, in the next group of verses, a ready glimpse into the mind of the Saints who have
sought Divine wisdom. The seeker says of wisdom, "I was a lover of her beauty" (vs. 8:2), and
out of his infatuation, he tells us all about wisdom: "She is conversant with God" (vs. 8:3),
knowing His mysteries and loving His works, and her devotees learn God's virtues of
"temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude" (vs. 8:7). Now we see why the young St. John
was so earnest to be baptized, "and besought [the Lord], and with [his] whole heart" (vs. 8:21).
Can you not hear the young St. John crying to the Lord, "give me wisdom, that sitteth by Thy
throne; and reject me not from among Thy children" (vs. 9:4)? Without doubt the Saint's prayer
was heard and richly answered, as his life discloses. From those early days, the wisdom from on
high truly led St. John "soberly in [his] doings, and [did] preserve [him] in her power" (vs. 9:11),
making him one who knew "the counsel of God" and "the will of the Lord" (vs. 9:13).
O Giver of life, Thou Fount of all wisdom, give unto us, thine unworthy servants, the grace that
Thou hast shed upon the Apostles, the Martyrs and all the Saints in their struggles.
