Bread for the World Sunday: An Invitation to Take Action

All of us know Jesus’ invitation into the reign of God. All are invited. Yet that invitation requires us to do something. It requires us to put Jesus’ words into action. -A reflection by Father James Martin, S.J., for Bread for the World Sunday (Based on Matthew 22:1-14)

Photo: Bread for the World

Jesuit Father James Martin, at-large editor for America magazine and a published author, wrote a special reflection for Bread for the World Sunday, which is on October 15.

The reflection is contained on page 2 of the Bread for the World Sunday guide. Hearing these words from a member of the Society of Jesus is very special to me because I was educated at a Jesuit university (Loyola in New Orleans) and my late brother Raul was ordained as a Jesuit priest.

Father Martin's words set the stage for Bread for the World Sunday, an opportunity for congregations throughout the U.S. to join with others across the country in living out God's vision of a world without hunger. "Our prayerful work to end hunger is a response to the Gospel’s invitation to take part in the banquet of God’s mercy and abundance th at is ours through Jesus Christ (Matthew 22:1-14)," says Bread for the World.

A celebration can be as simple as including prayers for hungry people in worship. Or a congregation may wish to devote a sermon, children's message, and other activities to ending hunger in God's world. To help congregations plan their service, Bread for the World offers several free resources.

Our prayers are especially urgent at this time. South Sudan is suffering from a devastating famine, and famine threatens Nigeria, Somalia, and Yemen. Drought is s preading throughout other parts of Africa. Humanitarian assistance and long-term solutions to hunger are more important than ever. In the United States, Congress is making budget decisions that will affect t he lives of millions in our own country and abroad.

The president has proposed unprecedented budget cuts that target international and domestic programs vital to hungry people. Dismantling or cutting funding for these time-tested and life-saving programs would take us backward and make the goal of ending hunger by 2030 unlikely.

Here are some excerpts from a prayer in the Bread for the World Sunday guide.

Photo: Rene Ronquillo

We remember all the people who walk in despair, who hunger for the equal bread, and who seek justice. Let us be ins truments of your peace in this world, that we might invite o thers to take part in the banquet of mercy and abundance you prepare for us. We rai se all the petitions th at we have said and the requests of our hearts, trusting that you are with us, to t he end of the age. Lord in your goodness, Hear our Prayer. (Excerpt from responsive prayer by Rev.Alexia Salvatierra, a Lutheran pastor and co-author of Faith-Rooted Organizing: Mobilizing the Church for Service to the World. The prayer is on page 3 of the Bread for the World Sunday guide).