As the season of Lent begins, we recognize that there is evil in our world and in our lives. Our Gospel reveals Jesus, hungry and thirsty after days of fasting, overcoming evil at a most vulnerable moment in his earthly life. He, who was born into our world and subjected to its limitations, its attractions, and its desires, refused to be mastered by evil. In his struggle, he relied on his love-relationship with his Father who gave him the strength to reject evil. Jesus struggled with evil, and so do we all.
Hungry from fasting, Jesus refused to turn stones into bread, because he rejected the connection between being physically filled and being spiritually loved. Jesus is always the Father’s beloved Son, but his beloved status doesn’t mean he will always be full. He does not make the same mistake that the chosen did as they cried out in the desert: “Is the Lord among us or not?” [Exodus 17-7] He may be full or he may be hungry, but he will remain faithful in both situations. The Father’s love provides us with the strength to see beyond our desires and address the hunger experienced by others. We feed them!
We satisfy the hunger of others by providing them with the proper nutrition that will strengthen them to confront evil and defeat it. Our first obligation is to address their lack of food, a full-time challenge and a huge problem. The world provides enough food to nourish everyone, yet millions of people in the United States are food insecure and over a billion people worldwide don’t get enough to eat. What a tragedy!
It is helpful to have a special project from time to time donating a percentage of our resources to address hunger but not helpful enough. Hunger is our business! Pope Francis recently endorsed a campaign to combat world hunger entitled, “One Human Family, and Food for All.” He said: “Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty.” Jesus refused to equate hunger with the loss of God’s love. We must continue to address the hungry of our world, confident of his love.
Jesus knew he was the beloved Son, and that knowledge allowed him to reject evil. This Lent knowing that we, too, are beloved sons and daughters of our Father can give us the strength to look clearly at ourselves and take responsibility for our thoughts, our words, and our actions. Let us rely on the power of God’s love for strength and inspiration to feed the hungry among us across the street or across the world. Let us welcome grace, and surrender to the realization that we are loved by an all-powerful and forgiving God, and begin again to extend that love to others.
Each new beginning can strengthen our relationship with God. Jesus knew that he was God’s beloved Son and treasured that realization above all else. We too treasure that belief and begin our Lenten journey confident that we can become the hands, heart and face of Jesus to all whom we meet.
----Deacon Wilson Shierk
Comments
Judy MeyerPosted on 3/06/20
Thank you for helping me through your writing become more aware of hunger in our world and to seek more ways to help!
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