Blessedness of the Hunger

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twenty Third Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Lk 6:20-26*

*First Reading : 1 Cor 7:25-31*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 45:11-12, 14-15, 16-17*

*Blessedness of the Hunger*

*1) Hunger for food and Food for Hunger*

Once a priest was asked to pray over meals. So he made this simple prayer 

*O Lord, give food to those who are hungry and give hunger to those who have food*

There is a lot of wisdom in this simple, yet profound prayer

If one has lot of delicious food but no appetite, food becomes useless

If one is having real hunger, but no food to eat, person will suffer

So both food and hunger is very necessary

*2) Blessedness of the Hunger*

In today's Gospel Jesus says, *Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied.*

Hunger always produces a action and reaction. 

Hunger does not allow a person to keep quiet 

Hunger makes a person to do some work and to satisfy his/her hunger

If there is no hunger, life becomes meaningless, and the beautiful things which God has created becomes purposeless 

Hunger also makes us happy when we have delicious food to eat 

If hunger is lost, then there is no interest, no energy, no creativity, no motivation in life

In this sense hunger becomes blessed in our life

*3) From Bodily hunger to the Spiritual Hunger*

Jesus not only speaking about the bodily hunger. Much more he is speaking about the Spiritual hunger and the need of it 

Unless one is hungry, one does not desire any food 

Likewise unless one is hungry for spiritual things, one may not desire the spiritual food 

This shows the need of Spiritual hunger

*4) The hunger for Spiritual things*

There are number of spiritual things to which we should be hungry

Hunger for Love 

Hunger for sacrifice

Hunger for Eucharist

Hunger for service

Hunger for humility

Hunger for simplicity

Hunger for prayer

Hunger for good deeds 

Hunger for good words 

Hunger for appreciation

Hunger for smile 

Hunger for unity 

Hunger for forgiveness

Hunger for respect

Hunger for duty 

Hunger for responsibility

Unless one is hungry for these things, one can't take these things and digest it 

*5) Need of Spiritual Hunger*

In the present day context the concept of spiritual hunger is becoming a strange concept 

Such an attitude gives rise to many serious complications, chaos and confusion

The lack of Spiritual hunger leads to destruction and emptiness 

The lack of spiritual hunger makes our life miserable and meaningless 

The lack of spiritual hunger takes us away from God, and we become the slaves of Satan 

That's why we need Spiritual hunger very much. We must pray for the real and genuine spiritual hunger

*6) How about my Hunger?*

Hunger is a existential phenomena, which can not be avoided 

If so, what is I am hungry for? 

For worldly things? 

For revenge? 

For greed? 

For gossip? 

For jealousy

For selfishness?

For power?

For Authority?

For money? 

For name and fame?

For Love?

For forgiveness?

For for Truth?

For humility?

For good news?

For sacrifice?

For service?

For generosity?

For simplicity?

For Gospel Values? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*