April 15. Hunger and food security are massive problems in our day. This is partly still a result of the Covid-19 pandemic but also related to climate change and a result of years of corruption and mismanagement at all levels, government as well as private sector and even charities.   However, at the same time a tremendous amount of good has been done over the years to feed the hungry when disasters happen. Every one of the family groups on reading the gospel considered the two aspects; providing food and providing spiritual nourishment.   Peter voiced the general opinion, “This two-sided problem is likely to be with us, long after the next pandemic is over, probably forever, and we all have to recognize that we are co-reponsible for one another in whatever way we can help.”  

Reflect, share, pray. Scripture:   After 5000 men had eaten their fill Jesus and the disciples disappeared from there. The disciples of Jesus saw him walking on the sea.  Jesus later spoke to the people who had searched and found him.   “You seek me not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.   Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God, the Father, set his seal. John 6:22-29.  Pope Francis: To blame population growth instead of extreme and selective consumerism on the part of some is one way of refusing to face the issue of food security. The planet could not even contain the waste products of such consumption.  We know that approximately a third of all food produced is discarded and wherever food is thrown out it is as if it were stolen from the table of the poor. LS50    ACTION.  What is our role in dealing with the twofold need for physical and spiritual nourishment?