The altar at the crossroads

A strange title... Indeed, we are accustomed to associate the altar with the sanctuary of a church, a hallowed place far from the hustle and bustle of hectic daily life. Yet, believers are invited to recall that what they celebrate in the liturgy in fact encompasses their entire daily life as well as the ups and downs of their fellow brothers and sisters.

"In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me" (Mt 25,40). These incisive words uttered by Jesus keep echoing in the hearts and minds of Christians of all ages. It is up to us whether we turn a deaf ear or not to his summons. An authentic interiorisation of the mysteries which are celebrated provides Christians with the required impetus to open their eyes and their ears to the cries of the poor and to engage themselves in concrete actions on behalf of social justice.

The relationship between the Eucharist and social justice was one of the pet subjects in the preaching of St John Chrysostom, a fiery orator and gifted pastor. Despite the 16 centuries that distance us from the Constantinople of his day, his speeches remain ever relevant, even to us, immersed in the high technology of the internet age. Gross social inequality was commonplace in his city ... just as it is in Rio de Janeiro, New York, Mexico City and any other 21st century metropolis.

One of his most audacious homilies describes the two altars present in the life of the Christian: that on which the Eucharist is celebrated and that present in the streets - the humble hand of the needy crying for attention and assistance. This second altar is found everywhere, in every society... in all places.

The altar lying at the centre of the sanctuary of a church is sanctified by the sacred Body and Blood of the Lord at the moment of consecration.

Yet, the other altar - that lying at the crossroads - is always there: in the holy hand of the poor and the marginalised.

A liturgical celebration which lacks a spirit of service towards one's neighbour is a reminder of the priest and the levite in the parable of the merciful Samaritan. Those two continued on their way without looking at the beaten man. They failed to show compassion. They were unable to build a bridge between the liturgy of which they were experts and the sighs of their needy brother in pain. Receiving the Body of Christ means carrying out and irradiating the diakonia of Christ.

Putting into practice the Gospel of charity is not to be watered down simply to almsgiving or collecting generous sums of money. This is still important and necessary. But, the Gospel of charity means much more. It means embracing a committed lifestyle marked by being men and women for others and with others. It means responding to the fundamental human cry for fellowship. It means eradicating injustice, combating suffering and promoting human dignity... hence creating a civilisation of love.

Whenever this takes place - through your effort, my effort... our combined effort - all can witness yet another of the innumerable expressions of the epiphany of the love of God for humanity.

Charity Day 2009

The annual collection in favour of Church charitable activities and Church homes will be held on Saturday evening and all Sunday Masses this weekend.

The funds collected will be distributed, according to the needs of the various Church homes and Church charity activities. These include homes providing shelter to children and young persons who have experienced difficulties in their upbringing as well as families who have faced domestic violence. They also include the various services offered by Caritas; Dar tal-Providenza; the Homes for the Elderly; the Social Assistance Secretariat of the Catholic Action; the work of the Refugee Section of the Secretariat for Emigration and Tourism and Dar Pirotta.

There are about 223 residents in Church homes for children. There are also five child day care centres caring for 60 children and two shelters for victims of domestic violence, sheltering 18 families with children.

Caritas is providing 22 different services reaching hundreds of people. Every year, there are about 665 young people with drug-related problems who seek help from Caritas. Dar Tal-Providenza provides shelter and care for 100 persons with a disability. The homes for the elderly, 14 in all, provide care for 700 persons. The Social Assistance Secretariat provides various forms of assistance to people in need. The Refugee Section is offering shelter to about 400 persons in 14 homes run by the Emigrants' Commission.

Also this weekend, one can contribute articles of foodstuffs and other commodities in baskets placed in churches. The contributions will later be donated to homes for children, young people and persons with special needs, as is being indicated, in each parish.

Charity Day is organised through the initiative of the Council of the Church Secretariat for Social and Charitable Action (Caritas Malta).

The theme for this year is Continue To Give Your Share.