This is a unique moment in history, when God has given us the means to dramatically reduce hunger and poverty.
The pangs of hunger can be so painful and physiologically destructive, especially for children. Yet hunger also produces a more intangible pang — that of stigma and shame. Ironically, stigma is not just confined to individuals standing on the long, shaming lines at community soup kitchens. Nation states also feel a certain element of stigma in not being able to address the basic Maslovian need of proper nutrition for their populations.
Perhaps this is a lesser phenomenon in the developing world, where almost half the planet survives on less than $1 a day. But in the developed/post-modern world, the stigma of food insecurity raises fundamental questions of equity and distribution.
We are taught that those who die from the sword are more fortunate than those who die from famine (Lamentations 4:9). Not only is this a “cruel death,” where the body feeds upon itself, but along the way it is associated with humiliation suffered by those who cannot provide basic support for themselves (ramify this also to nations). The prophet Ezekiel calls this herpat ra’av, “the shame of famine” (Ezekiel 36:30).
Truth be told: There are local heroes who labor every day in the field. Yet, like the Greek myth of Sisyphus, their efforts alone will not solve the problem. What we need are more advocates to change the dialogue and summon the political will to end hunger.
Point Source
PracticalSustenance.Net