For Chrysostom it was unanimity, the feeling of belonging to a
community and of common responsibility and concern, that were vital. For this
reason he considered that works of charity were indispensable and essential for
Christian life. "If someone does not show charity, he remains outside the
wedding feast and he will perish. It is not by lifting up your hands that you
will be heard. Stretch out your hands not to heaven, but to the hands of the
poor." In commenting on the Savior's words about the Last Judgment Chrysostom
writes: "There is no other virtue that He mentioned except the performance of
works of charity, for charity comes from love, and love is the goal and meaning
of Christianity."
Chrysostom's homilies on Christian charity reach the heights of
true mysticism. "Do you wish to see the sacrificial altar of the All-Merciful?
It has been built by God Himself, not out of stone, but out of a material which
is lighter than heaven: out of rational souls . . . This altar was created from
the very members of Christ, and the Body of the Master Himself serves as your
altar. Worship before it, for you make your sacrifice on the Body of the Master.
This altar is more awesome than both the new and the ancient altars . . . But at
the same time you honor that altar because it receives the Body of Christ. You
fail to pay attention to it when it is threatened by destruction. That kind of
altar you can find anywhere, both on the streets and on the public squares, and
you can make your sacrifices on it at all times because it is here that the
sacrifice is sanctified.
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