Feeding the hungry is about giving out of who we are and what we need - not out of our surplus. Jesus gave all of his life, not some spare part or between 2 and 4 on every third Tuesday or if it's not raining. God, the Trinity, pours all of God's self out in love for us. Jesus gives us his life for our nourishment again and again as we are fed by his Body, the Eucharist.
A Story
Tell the story of the chicken and the pig below. The website is here .
A pig and a chicken were out for a walk one day when they happened across a very sad-looking group of human beings. "Gee," said the pig, "I wonder what's wrong with them?" "I don't know," said the chicken. "But I wonder if they might be hungry. Let's cheer them up! Let's make them a bacon and egg breakfast!"Scripture
The pig paused for a moment. "Hey," he said. "I'm not so sure I like that idea. For you it's a contribution, but for me it's a big commitment!"
Utilize one or two of the following scripture readings to make a connection. Corresponding questions are included.
Mark 12: 41-44--The story of the poor widow's contribution.
- Discuss how this story is about the "bacon" way of giving above.
- How does Jesus challenge you in this story?
- How does he challenge your parish, your school, your youth program?
- How does this relate to the problem of hunger and feeding the hungry?
- Discuss Jesus' gift of himself in the Eucharist in light of the two stories above.
- How does this challenge those of us who call ourselves Christians - those who are to be like Christ and follow him?
- If Jesus gives all of himself, how is our country, our program, our parish, our school --- how am I --- called to give all of myself.
- How can I/we make a commitment as well as making contributions to combating hunger?
As a prayer image, you might use many candles in a prayer space with two stuffed animals - a chicken and a pig - or even a few hard boiled eggs and some bacon! You might opt to use one of the readings on the Eucharist above as part of a prayer experience. Use the prayer-reflection of Teresa of Avila as a reading as well -
Christ has no body now but yoursYou might also like to give to each young person a candle as an image of something that makes a commitment. It gives of its very self to create light. It burns its essence. As Christians, we too can have the courage to do the same because of the example of Jesus. Each of us must discern what our commitments, not only our contributions will be.
No hands, no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which He looks
compassion on this world
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
Determine some way that individuals or the group may choose to impact the reality of hunger by caring, in a committed way, for those who are hungry.
What, How, What Else?
Information on hunger and poverty, How to be involved in feeding the hungry, and supplemental activities or resources that can support practicing this work of mercy found on the web
