John came from a wealthy family and he used his money and power to help the poor. When his wife died, he became a priest. He was the bishop and patriarch of Alexandria. He fought to heal the divisions between the people and promised to practice charity without limits. He requested a list of the city’s poor, who were 7,500, and devoted himself to helping them. John was respectful and firm. Two days a week he would open the doors to those who wanted to see him, rich or poor. St. John built hospitals and monasteries and elaborated a system by which the poor could get ahead and progress to the point where they could support themselves.

Do you think that important people do not have time for the smallest or the poorest? What do you have that you could give up for the good of others?