Community and Fellowship: John Chrysostom on Shared Meals

John Chrysostom frequently preached about the spiritual significance of eating together. He taught that the common meal -- the agape feast -- was a defining practice of early Christianity. "When the faithful assemble for the breaking of bread, let all be of one heart. Let the rich not despise the poor, nor the poor envy the rich. For at the table of the Lord there is neither rich nor poor, slave nor free, but all are one in Christ."

Chrysostom was alarmed when wealthy Christians began hosting private dinner parties while their poorer brothers and sisters went hungry. He thundered: "You dishonor the table of the Lord! The Eucharist is a meal of equals. How dare you come from a feast of luxury and dip your hand into the same dish as one who has not eaten today?" For Chrysostom, table fellowship was a test of authentic Christian community.

Practical application: Host a potluck dinner where everyone contributes what they can, regardless of their means. Make it a practice to eat with people from different economic backgrounds, age groups, and life stages. Chrysostom teaches that shared meals break down social barriers in ways that formal worship services often cannot.