‘When did we see you hungry and feed you?’
(see Matthew 25:31-46)
We spend much time and money on the worship of the Church, and maintaining the building and preparing the liturgical space because we want to offer our best to God, and to discover his presence in the beauty of worship. However, we know that God is not and can never be confined within the walls of our building. The Sacrament of the Eucharist is a beautiful gift to be honoured, treasured and valued, it is transformative, but we also discover Christ in so many different ways.
St John Chrysostom said, ‘Do you wish to honour the Body of Christ? Then do not disdain him when you see him in rags. After having honoured him in church with silken vestments do not leave him to die of cold outside for lack of clothing. For it is the same Jesus who says, “This is my Body” and who says “You saw me in the hungry and did not give me to eat…The Body of Christ in the Eucharist demands pure souls, not costly garments. But in the poor he demands all our care…Give him then the honour which he himself has asked for, by giving your money to the poor. Once again, what God wants is not golden chalices but golden souls.’
The sacrament of the Eucharist should raise our hearts and minds to the presence of Jesus everywhere, and make us more attentive to his presence in the poor and those in need, strengthening and inspiring us to encounter him in both the riches and the rags.
PRAY FOR those in whom we are called to encounter Jesus today, and for those who lead lives of dedication and service to those in need.
Our daily reflections for Lent focus on the many injustices which exist in our world, as we seek to connect our life of prayer to social justice the Justice of God which Christ proclaimed. More resources are available at www.southcardiffministryarea.co.uk/just-lent
South Cardiff Ministry Area 