Jesus said that those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” are blessed in the Beatitudes, but there’s an epidemic of spiritual malnutrition today that’s anything but holy.
I came across a sad news story today. Twenty-one people in Kenya have died of starvation. The Good News International Church leader there, Paul Makenzie Nthenge, instructed the members to starve themselves to meet Jesus. I feel sadness at the senseless loss of life and anger at this person’s cruel abuse of power and manipulation of those who “hunger for God.”
This hunger for God is in our cells. As I have written before, I believe that we all share a divine DNA. We’re all made of the same sacred stuff. It stands to reason, then that a spiritual homing device would live deep within us and drive our longing.
The Road to Emmaus
The gospel reading this past Sunday told the story of two disciples who failed to recognize the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus. It wasn’t until he broke bread with them that they understood. “And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened, and they recognized him….” (Luke 24:30-31).
I don’t think it’s any accident that it was through food and drink that the presence of Christ was revealed. Throughout the gospels, Jesus’ words and actions make it clear that eating is a sacred act. Consider him feeding the 5,000 with only five loaves and two fishes (Matthew 14). He also included “give us our daily bread” in his instructions for how to pray (6). Even more, he referred to himself as “the bread of life” (John 6), and he laid the foundation for the Eucharist at the Last Supper (Luke 22). Food is life,
Spiritual Malnutrition
Why, then, do so many people today experience “spiritual malnutrition?” Why aren’t they getting whey they need to satisfy the longing for God within them? I think the three conditions that bring about physical starvation also lead to a spirit choked off from the nutrients it needs to thrive.
- Lack of Adequate Amounts of Food
One reason a person could suffer malnutrition is a lack of nutritious food. But currently, there is more than enough food on the planet to feed its eight billion human inhabitants. This may not always be the case. Food production will need to increase significantly to meet the needs of the anticipated 10 billion who will be alive in 2050. But the point remains. There is enough food. It’s the other reasons for malnutrition that drive the problem.
The same is true for “spiritual food.” Anyone who’s ever seen a sunset heard a child giggle, lived through winter into spring, been moved by art or music, or been on the receiving end of a bear hug knows that our problem isn’t that there’s not enough God to go around. One of the best things about the Catholic faith is its incarnational nature. God is present here and now in everything and at all times.
- Lack of Access to Food
All the banquets in the world do us no good if we can’t get to them. According to the World Food Programme, as many as 828 million people aren’t sure of their next meal. The main reason for global hunger is geo-political conflict; 70% of those suffering from hunger and malnutrition live in areas plagued by war. Extreme weather events and the high cost of fertilizer and fuel are also factors. Causes of domestic food insecurity include living in a food desert, loss of employment, and a lack of affordable housing.
I believe that the Catholic faith struggles with an “access” issue. The language in our creed, liturgy, and catechism reflects a worldview from the Classical Era and Early Middle Ages. Modern science has shown that the “magic thinking” of these historical periods no longer makes sense. The Church has a huge opportunity to update its lexicon and escape the “religious originalism” that results in people leaving the faith in droves once they reach the age of reason.
- Lack of Ability to Process Food
Even if we can access nutritious food, we’re no better off if our bodies can’t absorb its nutrients. People who suffer from some cancers, liver disorders, or conditions related to the mouth or digestive tract can become malnourished. Those with depression, anorexia, or bulimia can do as well. Dementia is another cause; I watched both of my parents die after becoming unable to chew or swallow.
The Church also has a “processing” problem. Young people especially struggle to “digest” all of the Church’s rules and regulations. Half of all Catholics leave the Church at some point, and just 39% attend Mass regularly. Young people especially struggle to digest the Church’s teachings. Springtide Research Institute’s 2020 study showed that 71% of Catholics aged 13-25 consider themselves “religious,” but over half say they don’t trust religious institutions. When asked why, they provided illuminating answers:
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- Only 10% said that a youth leader reached out to them at any time during the pandemic.
- 54% said the Church tries “to fix my problem instead of just being there for me.”
- 58% reported, “I don’t like being told answers about faith and religion. I’d rather discover my own answers.”
In other words, people want a Church to walk with them, just like Jesus did with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. They want relationships, not rules. They long for acceptance, not judgment.
It’s not an either/or proposition. The Church can provide the kind of accompaniment that Pope Francis has called for without abandoning its teachings. The Church can still say that it believes that pre-marital sex isn’t the best foundation for a healthy relationship. But identifying those who do as “sinners” who must repent doesn’t do anything to warm hearts and inspire minds. The Church is better off when it parents and befriends than when it dictates and corrects.
Bottom Line
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that the Church has failed because 2/3 of the spiritual fulfillment “supply chain” has problems. I am not spiritually malnourished, and many other Catholics can say the same. I will never become a “none.” I’m not going to switch affiliations. I will always be Catholic for many, many good reasons. But I’ve had to work hard to figure out how my faith still makes sense and provides meaning alongside established science and my own life experience. Not everyone wants to work that hard.
But people are hungry for meaning and purpose in their lives. They are hungry for God, and the Church can be a fantastic companion for people along the journey. Just as Jesus let the two disciples find their own way of recognizing him, the Church could benefit from focusing more on relationships over rules.
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