There seems no end to the hunger of the world. Only the names of the countries change, the reality stays the same. It is easy to feel powerless in the face of the sheer impossibility of the task, to allow “compassion fatigue” to give way to numbed indifference. Like Elijah's servant (first reading) or Andrew (Gospel), we ask, 'What is that among so many?'

For the next few Sundays we focus on Eucharist. Too many of us seem to leave our bodies at the door on entering church, pray and sidle up to receive the “body of Christ.” We can glibly forget the obscenity of seeing and condoning that same “body” lacking the basics of life. Last Sunday saw Jesus first feeding the souls of the people following him, and then feeding their bodies. As if to balance it out, today we see Jesus first feeding the body and afterwards the soul.

Both are important: Body and soul. The word of God will sound hollow and be impossible to stomach, if not made flesh in deeds that show and echo God’s care. Equally, true compassion needs to be in the right spirit. To do the right deed for the right reason. We need both.

“Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”(Dismissal Rite)

(Comments to Tom at tomascox@eircom.net )