Today we celebrate the life of St. John Damascene. He was born of a Christian family in Damascus, Syria in the latter part of the seventh century. Being taught science, philosophy and theology by a Sicilian monk, John became a monk himself and later a priest. He wrote many doctrinal works which earned him the title "doctor" of the Eastern Church. His thought greatly influenced Thomas Aquinas and others. He wrote especially against the iconoclasts (those who were out destroying sacred icons and images). John died in 749.
The first reading today speaks of guarding the rich trust that was passed on with the help of the Holy Spirit. This was John Damascene's mission – it is also our co-mission! God will be with us, he will grace us as he graced John to bear our share of hardship like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
The gospel passage puts it another way: each, according to his ability has been given something to do to build up the Body of Christ – to bring the Church to its full stature. We get profit by investing what we have been given; we get no gain and no profit if we hide what we have been given – and we will have no reward from God.
May God say to us that he is pleased with how we invested the seeds of faith that he planted within us! May he give us the responsibility of celebrating in a big way life in the Kingdom of gifted brothers and sisters – prepared for us!
Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.
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