The Manger

Non frustra, dilectissima mei, iumentis praesepe ponitur, neque tantum ad speciem videndi iacet; mensa etenim quadam est, quamlibet irrationabilium animatium, tamen ab hominum ratione composita, ut per eam quadrupedia cibum capiant. Quod si ii qui praesepia aedificare curaverint negligant pabulum inferre, proclivius tabida inopi stabulo iumenta deficient, et non pascentia fames depascitur animalia. At illi dignum negligentia vel avaritia damnum de tota capessent, quibus praesepis parandi tantum labor fuerit, et replendi cura defuerit: pariter enim cum animalibus mortuis et usum praesepis amittent; duo gravia damna iuste ferentes, qui unum necessarium utilis impendii sumtum pepercerint ministrare. Hoc igitur examplo, dilectissimi, cavere debemus, ne damnum animae et dispendium salutis adeamus, negligentes in Eccleisa positam a Domino mensam indigentibus, quam despicientibus oculis intuemur, aut aridis manibus praeterimus. Absit, quaeso, ab animis vestris tale contagium.  Sanctus Paulinus Nolanus, Epistola XXXIV

It is not with purpose, dear brethren, that a manger is placed before beasts, nor is it set down only to be seen; it is type of table for irrational souls which has been composed by human reason so that quadrupeds may take food. If those who have taken care to erect a manger neglect to supply it with food, the beasts will be more inclined by lack to waste away in the stable; hunger devours animals that are not fed. And in accordance with their negligence or avarice the owners will suffer a total loss, those who had laboured to prepare a manger and then lacked the care to replenish it. And with the animals dead the manger will have no use; two grave losses justly incurred, by those who did not provide the single necessary thing. By this example, dear brethren, we should take care we do not risk the loss of soul or salvation in neglecting the table of the poor in the Church placed here by the Lord, either by glancing at it with aloof eyes or passing by with empty hands. May it not be, I beg, that your souls suffer from such a sickness. Saint Paulinus of Nola, from Letter 34