Food for the Poor

Several times we must have said something like this, "I am so hungry I could eat an elephant". There have been many times when we ached from a lack of food, times
when our stomach was queasy from not eating, times when we could only think of food. However, all these were nothing more than transient states. Because all we could do is go to the kitchen and take out the food or go to a restaurant and fill our stomach.

It is heartening that many of our brothers and sisters throughout the world go to bed hungry on a daily basis. They bury their heads in their pillows wondering if they will find a meal the next day. My question is are we really bothered about them? Through our charity and love we have lived Christ's call to feed his sheep. Through our time, talent and treasure we have shared the Gospel message with strangers. But we can do so much more.....

In Isiah chapter 58, Lord described very beutifully about observing fast. "This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying
the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own" (Isiah 58:6-7).

Yesterday we had a very touching homily by Rev Fr Scott OP here in Idaho Falls Christ The King Church. He has dedicated his life to feed the poor. In the
Republic of Haiti, more than 80% of the people are below poverty line. It is one of the most ill-developed countries in the Western Hemisphere. We were in tears when we heard that many a times poor people "bake mud" and eat it to keep away from queasy
feelings and achy stomachs. Please read below:

With $20 they can buy 90 kg of rice and dal to provide a meal of complete protein for 800 children. With $35 they can buy rice and dal to keep afamily of four
alive for almost 6 months. When we gift $150 to get a sewing machine and materials for skills-training workshop, we give a family hope for the future! Please
visit the site www.foodforthepoor.org

My dear brothers and sisters, how blessed we are! God has provided us everything - good job, money, social security, many to love us. We do not have to eat "mud
biscuits"! Think about our Haitian brothers and sisters. They do not have anything to eat. Let us share our resources with the poor. Are we satisfied with our present life style? We might be a powerfulJesus Youth, We might have shown the face of Jesus to many, We might have preached a lot about God's love. But when we turned away from the hungry, naked, sick and oppressed, we turned away from Jesus. "As often as you did it to one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it to Me" (Mathew 25:40).

When I was working in Delhi, I often visit Mother Teresa's home for the mentally challenged brothers and sisters to do voluntory work. I used to have food from
their house. One day a sister asked me why do you waste food? I did not believe myself that I wasted food. I am very cautious in eating and generally my plate is so clean after having finished my food. "No, I do not waste food, sister". I replied. But I have seen you wasting, I saw one rice grain adhered to your finger while you were washing your hands. I go to other 19 nearby houses and collect those rice grains
and I make a ball out of it, and I would feed one of my kids for a meal! It was a shock of my life time. It was a great lesson I have learned. But let's examine
ourselves, how much we waste, how lavish are we when it come to food? Apart from food, do we really need that nail polish or that expensive perfume?

Let us give away our tithe to those who are poor, God likes helping the poor very much. There are many in our own vicinity. People who are hesitant to ask, and
those who hide their pain and helplessness in their hearts. It would be a great relief if we could help them. We could have already wiped poverty and hunger
from our world, had we, christians, started giving our 10% earning!

"He who has compassion on the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his good deed" (Proverbs 19:17).

"Almsgiving saves one from death and expiates every sin. Those who regularly give alms shall enjoy a full life" (Tobit 12:9).

We could also distribute our tithe for evangelization. It is a great act if we could save one from sin and eternal damage. So, we should encourage helping finanially the act of spreading of the gospel. Don't worry, ask God, the Holy Spirit will tell us where to distribute the money.

Let us Pray

Lord Jesus, I realize that you are the sole owner of every wealth. Every day I come across many who do not have anything to eat.... Have mercy on them Father! Many a times I turned away from them....Forgive me O Lord! When you bless me with money, teach me how to spend it in a meaningful way, provide me your graces to spend it according to your will. Grant me your wisdom and necessary strength to share my resources with my fellow-men.... Amen