Jesus, our brother,who gave without reserve
but also withdrew into quietness;
help us to learn from your experience
that we too may spend
and be spent wisely and well
within the economy of your Commonwealth.
Amen.
This is the prayer we say together at the end of our Wednesday Lent study group. Last night 32 brothers and sisters from five Smethwick churches gathered at St Hilda's for the second of our five studies on 'Feast or Famine - how the Gospel challenges austerity'.
We shared a hot potato supper and then considered the challenge of hunger in our country today. We wrestled together with the parable of Jesus in Luke 14, where the rich man's anger at the 'haves' refusing his invitation to a feast turned to compulsion to invite the 'have nots' from the alleys and byways. We asked why he first invited the well-off to his meal? We asked what obstacles need clearing to allow all - both haves and have nots - to feast at the same table?
We learned that more than 400 people died of malnutrition in Britain last year. We heard how the Smethwick Foodbank founded by the churches and supported by schools and people of the town has provided 350,000 meals for hungry people here in the last seven years. We reflected upon how our response to food poverty in our time is only made possible by joining together with others rather than doing nothing. But we also questioned again how we might move beyond meeting need to asking the questions why the need exists. To help us further we then heard stories of real people from a Foodbank meeter and greeter.
We heard of people who came for help because they were working on such low incomes they were struggling to make ends meet (such as the single father of two daughters, humbled in this way); we heard of people who had been sanctioned and had benefits withdrawn for six weeks because he missed an appointment at the job centre due to his having to pick up his daughter from school when the time for his slot was put later by a late official; we heard of people who might be abusing the system yet who could not be barred; we heard of families of six living in one-bed accommodation with no income at all; we heard of a man in a hostel who had nothing but a meager benefit who wanted to work but would lose his place in the hostel if he took the job. All real stories of hungry people.
Finally, we learned about a national campaign, began by Christians but now partnered by many groups fighting food poverty - it is called End Hunger UK.
You can find a link to this at http://endhungeruk.org
We can't deny the problems.
But we also can't deny the tremendous good that comes from responding together.
Learning how to spend ourselves wisely as well as withdrawing into quietness is a spiritual discipline for an age of hunger.
Lord Jesus, we pray that you give us compassionate hearts, so that we respond to the dire need around us. We ask that you will work in those in authority, that they consider the consequences of austerity on the people who will be most affected by cost cutting measures. We ask that you will help us to be caring to all we meet. Help us to remember that as simple an act as assigning an appointment can have a huge impact on someone’s life. We thank you that you love us all and hear our prayers. Amen
ReplyDeleteWhilst there is the challenge of hunger in this country there is also the challenge of thirst throughout the world.
ReplyDeleteToday, Friday 22nd March 2019, is World Water Day, an annual UN day highlighing that “Whoever you are, wherever you are, water is your human right”. This year’s theme is “Leaving no-one behind”. Nearly 1 billion people live without clean drinking water which affects health, poverty and education, and in particular women and girls, who often have to walk up to 3 hours a day to fetch and carry water, time which could be spent in receiving an education to help lift them out of poverty.
Hunger and thirst are global problems.
Yes, we can contribute weekly to the Foodbank, giving thanks to those faithful and compassionate volunteers who have the capacity to help on the frontline of this demanding work.
Yes, we can make sure we turn our taps off instead of leaving the water running, or have quick showers instead of baths.
We respond in ways that we can. But the immensity of the problem can sometimes feel all too much. We feel spent. It is then that I find the words of a hymn we sing at church, written by John Bell, and which call us back to the all embracing grace of God, so helpful:
“The grace of God comes close
to those whose grace is spent,
when hearts are tired or sore
and hope is bruised and bent.
The grace of God is here to stay,
embracing those who walk the Way.”