On Monday of the Second Week of Lent our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the book of Exodus (14:10-31) entitled "The crossing of the Red Sea". Our treasure, which follows, is from the Catechesis by Saint John Chrysostom, bishop.
Saint John Chrysostom was an important, fourth century, Early Church Father who served as Archbishop of Constantinople. He is known for his preaching and public speaking, and for his denunciation of abuse of authority of both ecclesiastical and political leaders. He was among the most prolific authors in the early Christian church. The word 'Chrysostom' means 'golden-mounted'. This name was given to him after he died because all his sermons were eloquent and lovely to hear.
Saint John Chrysostom's catechesis, particularly his "Instructions to the Catechumens," provide insights into early Christian instruction and morality, focusing on baptism and the Christian life.
These instructions, given around 390 AD in Antioch, were delivered to candidates preparing for baptism, serving as a form of "mystagog" or instruction in the Christian faith. His purpose was not merely to explain doctrine, but to form Christians whose lives visibly reflected the grace they had received.
The central message of the Catechesis is this: conversion of heart that leads to a transformed life in Christ, especially through the sacraments.
These catechesis are valuable for understanding the early Church's approach to catechesis and Christian living. They demonstrate Chrysostom's pastoral concern for the spiritual growth of the faithful and his commitment to a life of holiness.
The Book of Exodus, the second book of the Pentateuch, takes its name from a Greek word meaning "departure," highlighting the defining event of Israel's history: the Lord's deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt. Its Hebrew title, Shemoth — "Names" — comes from its opening line, reminding us that God's saving work unfolds within real history, among real persons whom He knows and calls.
Exodus continues the sacred story where Genesis ends. The descendants of Jacob, once welcomed in Egypt, find themselves oppressed and enslaved. Into this suffering, God reveals Himself not as distant, but as the One who hears the cry of His people. Through Moses, He performs mighty works, freeing Israel and leading them through the Red Sea — an event the Church has long recognized as a powerful foreshadowing of Baptism and redemption.
Yet liberation is only the beginning. At Mount Sinai, God establishes His covenant with Israel. The Law (torah) given through Moses is not merely a set of rules but the framework of a relationship. God saves first; then He teaches His people how to live in the freedom He has given. The moral, civil, and ritual laws form Israel into a holy nation, called to reflect God's own holiness before the world.
A striking portion of Exodus is devoted to the tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God chooses to dwell among His people. This reveals the deeper purpose of salvation: communion. God does not simply rescue Israel from something — He rescues them for something — life in His presence. Even when Israel falls into rebellion, we witness repentance, covenant renewal, and divine mercy. The book culminates with the construction of the tabernacle and the descent of the cloud, the visible sign of God's glorious presence.
