8 July 2015 - in spite of famine

But see, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.

Do we not find ourselves in a land of famine? Is this not the time the LORD speaks of "when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD." Our bodies may not be hungry but our spirits are starved. These conditions do not include enough fellowship, enough of the word of God, or enough truth. Without these the health of our spirits fail. Our bodies remain strong but we grow weary in doing good in spite of Paul's admonition to the contrary (cf. Gal. 6:9). When we don't take in the word of God in what we do and in our relationships it does not transform us. It does not come forth from us when needed.

But the LORD will preserve us even in spite of famine. Just as Pharaoh directs all of Egypt to go to Joseph and do whatever he tells them so that they may receive bread so God directs us to Jesus. For that matter, so does Mary.

His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you" (cf. Joh. 2:5).

To receive the bread and wine we need to sustain us in this famine we must heed these words, "Do whatever he tells you." To the degree that we have separated ourselves from this feast through our own fault he will help us to repent and return to him.

Alas, we are being punished because of our brother.
We saw the anguish of his heart when he pleaded with us,
yet we paid no heed;
that is why this anguish has now come upon us.

When we are kept from the feast Jesus weeps just as we read of Joseph, " turning away from them, he wept." Jesus longs to reveal himself as our brother more and more. He hates everything that puts distance between us or breaks that relationship.

His new family of brothers is the Church, starting with the Twelve we see him choose. Yet many of us are lost like the brothers of Joseph. Many of us are distant from our family, starving for the food we need. We need not fear. He will seek us! Let us look to his coming!

Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

Jesus is coming! Let us receive our brother and the shepherd of our souls with joy! As he gives all that he is to us to preserve us in spite of famine let us rejoice!

Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
Sing to him a new song;
pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.