140. Such gold the holy martyr Lawrence
preserved for the Lord. For when the treasures of the Church were
demanded from him, he promised that he would show them. On the
following day he brought the poor together. When asked where the
treasures were which he had promised, he pointed to the poor,
saying: “These are the treasures of the
Church.” And truly they were treasures, in whom Christ
lives, in whom there is faith in Him. So, too, the Apostle
says: “We have this treasure in earthen
vessels.” 2 Cor. iv. 7. What greater
treasures has Christ than those in whom He says He Himself lives?
For thus it is written: “I was hungry and ye gave Me to
eat, I was thirsty and ye gave Me to drink, I was a stranger and ye
took Me in.” S. Matt. xxv. 35. And
again: “What thou didst to one of these, thou didst it unto
Me.” S. Matt. xxv. 40. What better
treasures has Jesus than those in which He loves to be seen?