by Father Joe Muth - St Matthew's Catholic Church, Baltimore City
Yesterday morning was Palm Sunday. I finished my box of cereal and milk, and last night I finished the box of crackers. Yesterday at lunch I finished my last can of tuna fish. I still have some peanut butter left and two tangerines. Last night I went to a family gathering for the ninth anniversary of my father's death and there was lots of food there. I had great conversation but just had a glass of water with ice for the evening. It was strange especially with many people encouraging me to eat. The food was plentiful and right before my eyes. Many poor people would have devoured the table if they had the opportunity, but the opportunity is not as readily available for them as for me. So even my holding off from eating last night was kind of a luxury because I knew I only had one more day of this and I could go back to food whenever and wherever I want. I have also been touched by waiting for my next meal and trying to time it so that I will feel "full" until the next meal. I put the word "full" in quotation marks because I don't think I ever felt full this whole week. And the few times I felt hunger pangs I looked for a clock to see when my next "meal" would be, even if my "meal" was crackers and peanut butter. So I learned a lot this week. Thanks for asking me to join the challenge. I know it has changed my awareness and I wonder how I will be different now. Peace and blessings, Fr. Joe
Showing posts with label Fr. Joe Muth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fr. Joe Muth. Show all posts
Monday, March 17, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
The Food Stamp Challenge - Questions
by Father Joe Muth - St Matthew's Catholic Church, Baltimore City
Yesterday was the first day I began to worry if I had enough food to last for the week. I have $1.74 left from my original $21.00 and I already have started thinking about how I want to spend it. Yesterday was also the day I really started feeling hungry in the afternoon. I also have begun to wonder if I run out of food before Sunday do I have the guts or courage or humility (or whatever it takes) to go to a soup kitchen to supplement my food for the week. If I have to do something I think I would prefer a soup kitchen to getting a bag of food from a food pantry because I'd feel like I was taking food from someone else. There has been food all around me this week but I haven't participated because I am trying to be faithful to the challenge. I told myself that the only food I can have this week is the food that I bought with my $19.26. So even if I have a snack at night I have the peanut butter and crackers that I bought. However, I ask myself when I snack, if I have this snack now will I still have enough food to get to the end of the week, so I am cautious about how much I snack.
I have never asked these questions before. I think the challenge has already had its effect on me.
Yesterday was the first day I began to worry if I had enough food to last for the week. I have $1.74 left from my original $21.00 and I already have started thinking about how I want to spend it. Yesterday was also the day I really started feeling hungry in the afternoon. I also have begun to wonder if I run out of food before Sunday do I have the guts or courage or humility (or whatever it takes) to go to a soup kitchen to supplement my food for the week. If I have to do something I think I would prefer a soup kitchen to getting a bag of food from a food pantry because I'd feel like I was taking food from someone else. There has been food all around me this week but I haven't participated because I am trying to be faithful to the challenge. I told myself that the only food I can have this week is the food that I bought with my $19.26. So even if I have a snack at night I have the peanut butter and crackers that I bought. However, I ask myself when I snack, if I have this snack now will I still have enough food to get to the end of the week, so I am cautious about how much I snack.
I have never asked these questions before. I think the challenge has already had its effect on me.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The Food Stamp Challenge - Meals and Meetings
by Father Joe Muth - St Matthew's Catholic Church, Baltimore City
Yesterday I attended three meetings at which food was served. One meeting I left before the food came and the other two served the food during the meeting and I did not partake. As everyone was eating I felt like an outsider. I was not a part of the normal process of the meeting experience. I wondered if this is how people feel who are marginalized and outside of the society process of daily life. Even though I was at the table, I felt like I was an outsider looking in. This morning I just had cereal and then at an early meeting someone did offer me a cup of coffee and I thought it was ok to take it.
Yesterday I attended three meetings at which food was served. One meeting I left before the food came and the other two served the food during the meeting and I did not partake. As everyone was eating I felt like an outsider. I was not a part of the normal process of the meeting experience. I wondered if this is how people feel who are marginalized and outside of the society process of daily life. Even though I was at the table, I felt like I was an outsider looking in. This morning I just had cereal and then at an early meeting someone did offer me a cup of coffee and I thought it was ok to take it.
The Food Stamp Challenge - Another Shopping Tale
by Father Joe Muth - St Matthew's Catholic Church, Baltimore City
Well I went shopping yesterday and I spent $19.26 on my food for the week. I had to forego coffee and creamer because I just couldn't make it happen. Shopping also took about 30 minutes longer than usual going back and forth from one aisle to another to check prices and put things back that put me over my budget. So I had a tangerine for breakfast and a bowl of soup for lunch today. The store had a large box of Cheerios on sale for $1.49 and I was able to get some milk so I will start on that tomorrow. Cans of Tuna Fish were also on sale and so were crackers and of course Peanut Butter I think I did all right but now I will see how long it and I last.
Well I went shopping yesterday and I spent $19.26 on my food for the week. I had to forego coffee and creamer because I just couldn't make it happen. Shopping also took about 30 minutes longer than usual going back and forth from one aisle to another to check prices and put things back that put me over my budget. So I had a tangerine for breakfast and a bowl of soup for lunch today. The store had a large box of Cheerios on sale for $1.49 and I was able to get some milk so I will start on that tomorrow. Cans of Tuna Fish were also on sale and so were crackers and of course Peanut Butter I think I did all right but now I will see how long it and I last.
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