One of the most reoccurring themes in the Bible is caring
for the poor and welcoming the stranger. God tells us to show compassion to
those most in need, to offer physical substance and shelter.
As the country faces cutting off the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program next month, million face food insecurity. The
almost-month-long government shutdown has also led to many going without
paychecks and unable to make ends meet.
On one hand, it has been good to see so many step up, trying
to fill the gap—extra donations to food banks, free meals at restaurants,
information lists, etc. But on the other, there are so many that will fall
through the gaps. There are those who blame the people on SNAP as lazy or
scammers. There are those who are willing to turn a blind eye to a massive need
because they personally are not affected.
But it is our Christian duty to feed the hungry. The right to food is one of the most basic human rights; what kind of society lets any of its people starve, especially when there is food to spare?
When the crowds ask Jesus what they should do to produce good
fruit, He answers, “Whoever has two tunics should share with the person who has
none. And whoever has food should do likewise” (Luke 3:11).
Again and again, the rich are told to give what they have to
the poor, that hoarding of wealth or resources is counter to the will of God.
To live in a community, in a society, is to share with one another and alive
one another’s suffering.
Feeding the needy was an important task of the early Church.
In Acts, the Church distributed food to widows daily. The first deacons were assigned
to oversee the food distribution and other charitable tasks. Today, feeding the hungry is still considered a corporal work of mercy, the Christian response to meeting the physical needs of our neighbors.
When we look at the magnitude of the problem across the
country, it seems daunting. Forty-Two million people receive SNAP benefits;
that’s almost 1 in 10 Americans. Close to 17% of American children rely on SNAP.
Not only does the program give food the poor, it gives them some control over
what they eat, and it puts money back into the economy. As people scramble to fill
the gap, there are lots of logistics and uncertainty, and I feel many people
will suffer.
The best the average person can do is be aware of the
situation on the ground where they live. Who needs help? How can they receive
the proper help? How can I show them respect and compassion? What resources am
I being called to share with others?
“Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’” – Matthew 25:34-40
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