Adorn The Church But Do Not Neglect The Poor — Do you wish to honor the body of Christ? Do not neglect him when he is naked. Do not honor him here inside with silken robes but neglect him outside as he is perishing of cold and nakedness.
The who who said, “This is my body,” and established the fact by his word, is also the one who said, “you saw me hungry and did not give me to eat,” and “As much as you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.”
The body of Christ in the Eucharist has no need of garments but of a pure soul; the body of Christ outside needs much care.
Let us learn how to become wise and to honor Christ as he wishes. Thus, render him the very honor which he himself prescribed by spending your wealth on the poor. God has no need of golden vessels but of golden souls.
Now in saying this, I am not hindering you from making such votive offerings as these I am insisting that, along with these and before these, you give alms. He accepts the former but is much more pleased with the latter. Do not decorate this house and neglect your suffering brother. He is more truly a temple than this building.
From a Homily of St. John Chrysostom
Courtesy of Holy Myrrh Bearers Ukrainian Catholic Church
