Do not deny food to those who need it.

"In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat." (2 Thessalonians 3: 10).

Wednesday 26th August 2020, 21st Week in Ordinary Time.

Our key Scripture for today thrust us into the all important question of work and benefits. Work is a divine command. (Genesis 3: 19). Jesus worked as a self-employed small business man in the carpentry trade. But work is also a privilege. "The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it." (Genesis 2: 15).

In God's Divine Providence, He designed that certain people may desire work but are unable to work because of one disability or another. These include groups named several times in the Scriptures: widows, orphans and migrants. Others are: the old and the sick. Governments and the Church support these people through the food pantries. The Church have supported these groups through the centuries through groups like St Vincent de Paul. And internationally through Caritas International.

What is the message of the first Reading? To remind us that there are a chunk of our fellow human beings who go to bed without food every day.
Why can't God give them food Himself directly? God can of course provide each human being (7 Billion) every necessity. Church Fathers like St John Chrysostom say that God wills our participation because that is how we atone for our sins and are sanctified. God wills that every Lent, we fast, pray and give alms for this reason. The Church affirms that nothing is more effective in dealing with Sin than Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving. (FPA). Don't wait till Lent 2021. The hungry needs you today.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com