On Almsgiving

One must be merciful to the poor and to strangers; the great lights and Fathers of the Church were much concerned with this.

We must strive by every means to fulfill the word of God: “Be merciful, therefore, as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). And again: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice” (Matt. 9:13).

The wise heed these saving words, and the foolish do not—and therefore the reward is not equal, as it is said: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6).

The example of Saint Peter the Baker can move us to show mercy to our neighbors, for even a small act of mercy greatly contributes to obtaining the Kingdom of Heaven.

We ought to perform acts of mercy with a disposition of good will in the soul, according to the teaching of Saint Isaac the Syrian: “If you give something to one in need, let gladness of face precede your gift, and with kind words console his sorrow.”20