Hunger
Erick du Toit
May 10, 2019
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John 21: 9-14
9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
821 million people went to bed hungry last night; many of them — children
How does this statistic make you feel?
Imagine being malnourished to the point where your body is unable to stomach more than a quarter portion of food.
It almost makes one feel foolish depriving oneself of chocolate or coffee for Lent, doesn’t it?
Many theologians refer to this uncomfortable feeling as ‘holy discontent’. An emotion that sets the tone for a radical lifestyle filled with just attempts to make the ‘wrongs’ right. It’s a conscious decision to shy away from apathy by lending a hand where it is most needed. To embody Christ Jesus for those in need of justice.
When Peter saw Jesus prepare the fish and bread on the beach a flurry of memories rushed through his head:
‘The day I left the nets to follow Him.’
‘The feeding of the 5,000.’
‘The last supper.’
In that moment Peter had been reminded of his original calling. To be a beacon of hope for those in need. To identify with those on the fringe, the marginalised, the poor, the weary and hungry. Those unable to fend for themselves.
Jesus resides with the vulnerable and so should we.
Unfortunately the church as an institution has lost its ability to assimilate with the needy. Within hours million of euros had been donated to renovate the Notre-Dame. So now we value architecture more than human dignity?
I’m sure there are mixed feelings regarding the above statement. But I’ll tell you this: God weeps when the church value ‘things’ more than his children. Isn’t it time that we return to our original calling? “Living simply so that others may simply live.”
Prayer:
Lord, I want to confess that I’m part of the problem.
The problem with inequality and injustice in the world.
I want to take responsibility for the pain of others as I live my comfortable and easy life.
Help me to become more aware of the issues around the globe.
Give me opportunities to serve and reach out to those less fortunate so that I can return to my true calling – manifesting Christ to a broken society.
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