Spirituality Resources

FEED THE HUNGRY

INTRODUCTION
Today, people in our world, in our neighborhoods, in our parishes, in our schools, are hungry for more than food and drink. Never before in our land has there been such hunger for love, recognition and intimacy. This is happening in the midst of an affluence and prosperity unparalleled in human history. In our roles as Christian educators, are we attentive to the many hungers of our youth? Are we mindful of the hungers of those with whom we minister and the hungers of our families and friends?

INVITATION TO PRAYER
LEADER: Let us pray. Lord Jesus, you were attentive to the hungry people of your day.
ALL: Lord, teach me your ways.
LEADER: Lord Jesus, the rich as well as the poor brought to you their needs and hungers.
ALL: Lord, teach me your ways.
LEADER: Lord Jesus, you gave your all that others might live.
ALL: Lord, teach me your ways.

REFLECTIVE LISTENING
Suggested songs:
"Gift of Finest Wheat" by Robert Kreutz
"I Am the Bread of Life" by Suzanne Toolan, S.M.

SCRIPTURE READING:
Luke 9:10–17

GUIDED REFLECTION
In our reading we hear Jesus tell the apostles, "You yourselves give them something to eat." How impossible that must have seemed to the apostles, and yet they trusted enough to make the effort to try to understand. The apostles, discovering what they had to work with—five loaves and two fish for five thousand—nevertheless listened to the
Lord and followed his command. Jesus makes the point with us that whatever we have, however small it may appear to us, is enough if we will but trust him. In fact, our little will be more than enough, and there will even be some left over!

RITUAL
Place a plate containing small pieces of bread on the prayer table. As a simple expression of our desire to feed the hungry, invite each person to offer one of these pieces of bread to the person next to her or him. Each will say a prayer of gratitude for this gift of the earth.

JOURNALING
Reflect for a few moments on all that we have just prayed and ritualized. Take time to write down some ways you know people are hungry, especially the ways your students are hungry and in need of being fed. Jot down some of your gifts that you use to help alleviate the hunger of the people with whom you live and work. You might choose to name a particular student or faculty member that you recognize as most in need of your gifts.
I know (name) is hungry for . . .

Suggested Scripture readings for further reflection:
Matthew 15:29–31
Mark 8:22–26

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