Hunger

 "They ate and were satisfied." Mt 8:9

Having enough to eat is always important. Jesus knew this and challenged his disciples to feed the people who were following him. Unfortunately, because most of us we don't see the hungry everyday, we don't often think about people around the world who are hungry, especially children. It's just too painful. But from time to time we need to stop and ask ourselves whether we do enough individually and communally for the 20,000 people in the world who everyday die from hunger.

Too many of the hunger live in the United States. According to the U.S Department of  Agriculture, 34 million people in the United States which includes 9 million children are food insecure. Food security is a federal measure of a household’s ability to provide enough food for every person in the household to have an active, healthy life. When Jesus tells us that we fed him when he was hungry, he challenges us to look around our own neighborhoods and do something for those we don't want to see. Volunteering at a food bank or a church pantry might be a great Lenten penance

Today, say a prayer for those who respond to the hungry in their towns and parishes.

Were you ever hungry going to bed? Did someone in your neighborhood show you compassion?