Day 20 – March 7

Exodus 23:10-11; Proverbs 13:23

In another example of public policy, God prohibited sowing crops every seventh year—the Sabbatical Year.  Whatever grew voluntarily on the fields was intended to be food for the poor and the wild animals.  Yet, the writer of Proverbs observed that the poor seldom received the food.  He observed, “injustice sweeps it away.”  People often express the assumption that people are poor (and hungry) because they are lazy, unwilling to work, immoral or unspiritual. Proverbs 13:23 challenges that assumption.  What do you think “injustice” looked like in those days?  What is an example of “food injustice” today?

For thought…  In Chicago, it is legal to raise chickens on your property.  Some organizations have trained people in poor communities to raise chickens for eggs and meat.  It sounds like a great idea, but as communities gentrify and become wealthier, there is increased pressure to make chickens illegal due to noise, sanitation, etc.  So far, attempts to ban chickens in Chicago have been unsuccessful, but opponents to chickens are still pushing.  Unfortunately, other cities have cracked down by changing their zoning laws, limiting chickens only to large parcels of property, effectively making it impossible for most residents to own a chicken. Is this an example of “food injustice”?  Why or why not?

We have reached the half way point in Lent.  How has your relationship to food changed over the past 20 days?  What opportunities have you had to share your food?