Do you want to show honor to Christ’s Body? Do not neglect him when naked; do not neglect him perishing outside of cold and nakedness, while here you honor him with silken garments. For he that said, “This is my body,” and by his word confirmed the fact, also said, "I was hungry and you gave me no food"; and, "as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me” (Matt. 25:42, 45). For this indeed needs not coverings but a pure soul; but that requires much attention.
Let us learn therefore to be strict in life, and to honor Christ as he himself desires. For to him who is honored, the honor that he desires is most pleasing, not the honor we consider best. Peter thought he was honoring Christ by forbidding him to wash his feet, but doing so was not an honor—just the contrary.
Even so do you honor him with this honor, which he ordained: spending your wealth on poor people because God has no need at all of golden vessels but of golden souls.
ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM Homilies on Matthew
