Yesterday we celebrated the Eucharist, what a sacred and transcendent time with our Lord. The Table that Jesus prepares for us reaches back before time began, and will be our ever-present eternal meal, our Communion with Christ, with the Trinity, and with one another. During my message I shared the quote below, I hope it speaks to you. Even though Chrysostom was a bishop, he had little or no use for the pomp and circumstance of "silk vestments", this got him into serious trouble with those who used the church, and its close affiliation with Imperial power, for their own benefit. In fact, St. John suffered much hardship and persecution for his life in Christ and proclamation of the Gospel.
It is sad that we lack Chrysostoms today. Many seek their own benefit...few have the courage to seek and preach Christ.
Chrysostom:
Do
you wish to honor the body of the Savior? Do not despise it when it is naked.
Do not honor the church with silk vestments while outside you are leaving it
number with cold and naked. He who said, “This is my body,” and made it so by
his word, is the same that said, “You saw me hungry and you gave me no food. As
you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.” Honor
him then by sharing your property with the poor. For what God needs is not
golden chalices but golden souls.”
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