The Beatitudes, Faith and Politicians

As I was reading the latest edition of Sister Joan Chittister's column From Where I Stand, which is published in the The National Catholic Reporter, I noticed that she quoted an organization that I much respect.  You guessed it: Bread for the World.

It's really great when you see someone outside the organization makes references to Bread's anti-hunger lobbying efforts or its well-respected reports.  It's even better when that reference comes from someone whose opinion you very much respect.   

Here's what Sister Joan said:

If "feeding the hungry" is a basic, we're slipping, no matter how much we congratulate ourselves on our virtue. According to Bread for the World, a faith-based movement seeking justice for the world's hungry, over 35 million people -- including 12.4 million children -- live in hunger in the United States. They skip meals regularly or, when they eat, eat too little. Some of them go without food, the report says, for entire days.

Let me put it in context.  In her column, Sister Joan was discussing how the subject of faith often becomes more of an election strategy in political campaigns.  We tend to embrace candidates who talk about being "religious," but don't question whether they are truly committeed to religious principles, i.e. the basic Gospel values of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, giving drink to the thirsty, housing the homeless and other basic human rights.

I urge you to read the entire piece Click here   I found it really worthwhile, and I think you will too.