Remembering St Peter Chrysologus

Today we remember St Peter Chysologus (380-450) who, in about 433, became bishop of Ravenna, a town in northern Italy which is situated on the east coast and lies on the road from Rome to Venice. He was given the name Chrysologus which means “golden-tongued” because of his homilies. These were short, clear and inspiring. As we recall Peter Chysologus’ gift as a preacher, it is appropriate that we listen to the first reading from Jeremiah 14:17-22. Here the prophet is speaking to his people at a time of famine and war shortly before the Babylonian Captivity in 587BCE when the Israelites were finally defeated in war and marched en masse to Bablyon (modern day Iraq) where they forced to live in exile. The striking thing about these words is how the prophet reveals the emotional side of God. This is what God says to the prophet, “Tears flood my eyes night and day, unceasingly, since a crushing blow falls on the daughter of my people …” This is a God who walks among the people and sees people being killed, dying of hunger, and sunk in despair. Meanwhile, the prophet Jeremiah is trying to convince his people that they should face the reality of their situation, not be fooled by false prophets of hope, and admit that they bear responsibility for the calamity that they face. Only in this way can they eventually come to realise that God is their only source of hope. The prophet Jeremiah, like Peter Chrysologus, had an inspiring way with words. But he also spoke the truth and tried to help people face their own failures and consequences of their actions. Indeed we so urgently need prophets who speak the truth and preachers who inspire us to take responsibility for our lives.