On the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to read and reflect on a passage from the book of the prophet Isaiah (6:1-13) entitled "The call of the prophet Isaiah". Our treasure, which follows, is from a homily 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-mouth'. This name was given to him after he died because all his sermons were eloquent and lovely to hear.
The book of Isaiah is filled with sobering accounts of Israel's sin and rebellion and warnings of their coming judgement. But along with warnings, Isaiah also offers a message of hope—a suffering servant, a coming Messiah, who would come to establish God's Kingdom on Earth and create a new Jerusalem.
