CSDC 265

The Fathers of the Church do not consider work as an “opus servile” — although the culture of their day maintained precisely that such was the case — but always as an “opus humanum”, and they tend to hold all its various expressions in honour. By means of work, man governs the world with God; together with God he is its lord and accomplishes good things for himself and for others. Idleness is harmful to man's being, whereas activity is good for his body and soul.⁵⁷⁷ Cf. Saint John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts, in Acta Apostolorum Homiliae 35,3: PG 60, 258PG — Patrologia Graeca (Migne). Christians are called to work not only to provide themselves with bread, but also in acceptance of their poorer neighbours, to whom the Lord has commanded them to give food, drink, clothing, welcome, care and companionship ⁵⁷⁸ Cf. Saint Basil, Regulae Fusius Tractatae 42: PG 31, 1023-1027PG — Patrologia Graeca (Migne); Saint Athanasius, Life of Saint Antony, ch. 3: PG 26, 846PG — Patrologia Graeca (Migne). (cf. Mt 25:35-36). Every worker, Saint Ambrose contends, is the hand of Christ that continues to create and to do good.⁵⁷⁹ Cf. Saint Ambrose, De Obitu Valentiniani Consolatio, 62: PL 16, 1438PL — Patrologia Latina (Migne).