There are many wonderful humanitarian programs, campaigns, and organizations striving to end hunger in our lifetime. As I listened to one such program during a radiothon, I thought about other ways that people are hungry and malnourished.
The irony is that sometimes those fortunate enough to say grace over a full table of food are nevertheless facing emotional and spiritual starvation. And it is unlikely that they will find a barrage of radiothons, telethons, or other programming addressing their spiritual hunger.
We know that the physical body will not grow without the right kinds and amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. But it is no less ravaging and detrimental to the human soul and spirit to ingest verbal and emotional abuse, violence, or bitterness.
We may have been exposed to people who find it difficult to give or receive love. We may have known children or adults who have been deprived of kindness and the human considerations that many take for granted. We can have all the food and nutrients we need or want, but without the nurturance of qualities such as care, respect, and affection we cannot truly live, grow, or thrive. Human beings need, require, and yearn for sustenance beyond the physical demands of the body. Jesus tell us, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)
The incalculable destructive and untenable events around the world and in our communities speak volumes about what may be called a global spiritual famine. The good news is that it is within our power to address and mitigate this pandemic on a personal level. We have opportunities each day to support and nurture one another. We can feed everyone we meet with kindness, thoughtfulness, and love. If we all took up that cause in earnest, there would be less hunger of any kind in the world.
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