By Vimal Kumar A csc
Readings: Is 55:1-3; Rom 8:35, 37-39
Today’s readings are relevant to the current happenings in the world. Hunger and poverty have become never-ending problems in India, prevailing for many years. Various measures have been taken to reduce poverty, however, without much impact. In the Gospel, Jesus expresses his thoughtfulness and kindness to the people by understanding their immediate needs. He emotionally feels for the struggles of people and tries to satisfy their hunger.
As a follower of Christ, my primary duty is to show a preferential option for the poor. It has been nearly four months since the national lockdown, which adversely impacted the lives of millions of migrants and the poor, who are deprived of their basic amenities. Hunger and death are the words frequently heard in this pandemic situation.
So, God challenges me through the struggles and pains of people today; what should be my approach and contribution to the hungry people and migrants? The compassion and kindness that Jesus felt for the multitude, I wish to show in an explicit way towards the COVID-19 patients. As prophet Isaiah expressed in the first reading, “Come to the water all you who are thirsty; though you have no money, come! Buy and eat; come, buy wine and milk without money, free!”
I have a responsibility to make myself available to the poor. Through this reflection, I invite you to express your thoughtfulness and compassion for the poor in more explicit ways during this pandemic situation. We cannot eradicate poverty fully, but we can make an effort at an individual level to provide the needy with what we can. We cannot feed the entire starving population, but at least for those who approach us at our homes and workplaces, we can be a solace during this lockdown.