GIVE THEM FOOD
Tuesday after Epiphany
My dear encountered couples:
The people who had been receiving spiritual nourishment from Jesus now needed some nourishment for their bodies. He had talked a long time. When his disciples suggested he send them “to the villages to buy themselves something to eat,” he replied, “You give them something to eat.”
There are many people in the world who are hungry. In America we can’t begin to imagine the number of those who go without meals every day. Why don’t we do something about it? We do. Through money we pay in taxes people are being fed by means of food stamps and surplus food distributions. From money we give to churches and other charitable organizations soup kitchens are put in operation. From direct handouts of cash others are able to get an occasional meal.
Yet, many still go hungry. There are people living on the streets who die from starvation every day. There are people who live alone, too shy to ask for help, who die from lack of food. Many children in America die from malnutrition every year.
Is there a solution to this problem? Is there a total solution to any problem? There are so many problems. Food is but one of them, but a very basic one. Without food life comes to a painful end. Keep your eyes open, your hearts generous, and listen to Jesus as he says: “You give them something to eat.”
