«That I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh» (Romans 9:2, 3).
DURING THE 56TH BERLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, held in February 2006, Chicken a la Carte was chosen as best short film. The screenplay, based on real events, shows the journey of a man who goes around the streets and markets every night looking for food leftovers that have been thrown away.
The waste of one is the survival of another. He digs inside trash cans and chooses «a la carte» those portions that can still be classified as edible food. When he is done with the search and selection, he returns home. However, on the way, he shares around the neighborhood part of the «trophies» he has obtained. He is conscious of his needs and those of others. The others are also hungry, and there is food for them as well.
It causes deep sadness and is painful to think of the thousands upon thousands, mostly children, who are languishing, living at the end of their rope, and dying because they do not have proper nourishment; and we should feel an even greater pain and sadness over those who live without spiritual Bread.
Paul feels sorrow and continual grief for his people, for his brothers and sisters, for his countrymen, and for the salvation of the lost. How much sorrow and grief do we feel for those who suffer without hope?
We are hungry people who have been fed and restored by the Bread of Life. We are privileged and responsible for sharing Him with our family, our neighbors, and all those within our reach.
We are moved by knowing that thousands die for lack of food, but what are we doing for the thousands that die or live senselessly because they lack Christ? Are we not the ones who are urged to arrive with the Bread before it is too late?
Speaking about the Lord, Ellen G, White said, «What spiritual food He daily imparted as He presented the bread of life to thousands of hungry souls. His life was a living ministry of the Word. He was the Light of the world, pointing to men the Way, the Truth, and the Life He was its food, the Bread of life» (This Day with God, p. 283).
We need to eat the Bread of life every day to strengthen our communion, and faithfully share it to fulfill our mission.
The Jesus who said, «Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God» (Matt. 4:4), is the same One who with all the authority of heaven and earth says to us, «You give them something to eat» (Luke 9:13).