Our Venerable Father Joannicius the Great (846); the Holy Martyrs Nicander, Bishop of Myra and the Priest Hermas
Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat
Colossians 4:10-18; Luke 10:1-15
Read Colossians 4:10-18
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Today’s reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians covers the closing of the letter and relays greetings from other brethren. After his signature, Paul includes the request that they remember his chains (Col. 4:18). At the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, every year on June 29th (the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul), Paul’s chains are taken in procession around the basilica.
In St. John Chrysostom’s Homily 8 on Ephesians, he spoke at length praising St. Paul’s chains. Chrysostom wrote: “Were any to offer me my choice, the whole Heaven or that chain, that chain I would prefer. Were any to ask whether he should place me on high with the Angels, or with Paul in his bonds, the prison I would choose. Were any about to change me into one of those powers, that are in Heaven, that are round about the throne, or into such a prisoner as this, such a prisoner I would choose to be. Nothing is more blessed than that chain.” Later, Chrysostom adds, “I deem it more desirable to suffer evil for Christ’s sake, than to receive honor at Christ’s hands.”
Blessed are we when hardships fall upon us for the sake of Christ. Paul accepted his chains; Chrysostom recognized the incredible value of bearing chains and suffering for Christ. What is our response when we face hardships or conflicts because of our faith in Christ?