food

This Gospel invites us one more time to focus on agriculture – a familiar topic here in Florida.  Surely, you’ve noticed that this is the third Sunday in a row that Jesus and Matthew have shared parables that call our attention to tilling the earth: the mustard seed, vineyards, lazy workers, late hires, wishy-washy sons, disappointed overseers and generous owners.  We are invited to consider the difference in attitude between tenants and owners; sons and indentured servants; wise waiting for growth and rash action to weed out suspected imperfection.

Here in Pasco County many fret when we experience a long dry period.  Our soil longs for rain and we can empathize with the farmers and ranchers in the fire-ravaged areas in California and the far west.  We sense the feelings of desolation and devastation of farmers in the mid-West as they stand overwhelmed (once again) and survey their flooded acres and acres of lost crops.  How do the people of India – second largest producer of wheat and rice, the world’s major food staples, recover when their prospect of annual income is washed away by the monsoons and the gushing waters from the dams that were opened upstream, miles away?  And what are the ripple effects in our country and throughout the world?

How is it, in the richest country in the world, we see food sacristy and insecurity?  Before the pandemic, in the U.S. more than 35 million people, including 10 million children, suffered from food insecurity, meaning they have uncertain access to enough food to support a healthy life.  During and following the pandemic more than 54 million people, including 18 million children, continue experiencing food insecurity.  Insufficient income, due to loss of employment and low wages, is a major cause of food insecurity.  “Food deserts” are also a problem …  lack of nearby food markets – and lack of transportation to food stores – especially for persons who are home bound or are not on public bus routes.  Couple that with holiday periods when schools that ordinarily serve meals are closed.

Let’s look at our “back yard” here in Pasco County.  Last year 54% (or 42,000) children in Pasco County were eligible to receive free or reduced meals at school.  Agencies and churches strive to staunch the tide of hunger and “fill tummies”:  Daystar, Meals on Wheels, Pasco Feed, Suncoast, Homeless Ministries, Feeding Tampa Bay, and others.   There must be times when these volunteers feel like they are putting a finger in the dike only to watch another crack appear.  Fear and anxiety weigh heavy on many: will congress get their act together for the people or will there be government shutdown, will their food stamps be cut off, will they lose rent subsidies.   “My children – what will they eat tomorrow.”

The problem is HUGE.  What can we do?  More specifically, what can I do?  Some simple things – (maybe they even sound simplistic) –

+ Be grateful for what we have; make do with what is available.

+ Be conservative in purchasing; be patient when supplies run out; be prudent in meal-planning so you have few unplanned left-overs

+ And, yes, pray!  There is a saying, “When all else fails, pray.”  But let’s don’t wait for “all else to fail” – pray frequently for wisdom and discernment; examine how election candidates stand on issues – not just what they are saying, but what is their record, what are their actions telling you?  Don’t be complacent or fail to exercise your right to vote.  Be wise voters.

In Proverbs (4:6-7) we read: “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”  We just celebrated our Guardian angels (October 2) – call on yours for the gift of wisdom.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

First Reading:   Isaiah 5:1-2         Second Reading:  Philippians 4:6-9
Gospel:   Matthew 21:33-43