Each day brings more news of the plight of millions of hungry and malnourished people around the world, telling us that the global food crisis is just that - a crisis.  Especially in developing countries.  The World Food Programme (WFP) says this "silent tsunami" is becoming the greatest challenge it has ever faced and could drive 100 million more poor people into deeper poverty, threatening to stall or reverse progress we've already achieved toward the Millennium Development Goals.  From Senegal to Egypt to Uzbekistan, people are losing their livelihoods as prices continue to rise and food becomes scarce. 

In the face of such an emergency, what are we called to do?  Well, to be sheep, of course. 

Remember that passage in Matthew where Jesus talks about the final judgment and the separation of the sheep from the goats?  He tells the disciples that the sheep, the righteous ones, will inherit the Kingdom of God because they fed him and gave him drink, among other things.  And though they will not recall seeing Jesus hungry or thirsty, he explains that "when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!" (Matt. 25:40).

We are certainly called to pray and lift this crisis and these people to the Almighty God, who holds all things in control.  We are also called by this passage to live out our faith in the One who embodies love, compassion and justice.  This passage calls the righteous to take action and care for "the least of these" - to be sheep.  Here are a few ideas on how you and your church can be sheep:

1. Use your voice - Large scale interventions are needed to tackle this crisis.  Increases in food stamps and other such programs are needed here in the States, and the WFP needs $755 million to fund emergency food aid efforts.  You can begin to use your voice by calling or writing to your members of Congress, asking them to provide $600 million to meet global food needs.  Click here to see other ways Bread for the World can help you respond to this crisis.  And keep your eye on Bread's website (www.bread.org) to join a weekly action campaign, beginning next week. 
2. Eat Dirt So They Don't Have To - Join Bright Hope International's Dirt Cookie Campaign to provide Haitians with immediate food supplies and micro loans to enable families to plant their own vegetable gardens.
3. Help Fill the Cup - Make a donation to the WFP here to provide food for hungry children.  Also, see why Doctors Without Borders is saying that food is not enough.
4. Don't Plant Flowers, Plant Vegetables - Begin a community garden at your church where families in need in your own community can come to get fresh vegetables at little or no cost.

Those are just a few of the ways you and your church can be sheep.  Do you have other ideas on how to faithfully care for the least of these?  How might your church respond?

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.         Proverbs 31:8-9

"People of faith feed hungry people every day through church food pantries, programs for people experiencing homelessness and meal deliveries to the elderly.  The church has a long history of caring for the needy in the local community and has begun to extend this care to poor people all across the globe.  Faithful works such as these reveal values and ethics that desperately need to be articulated in the public square.  In fact, this is God's call to us - that we speak out and help shape our society around the things that God cares about.

The Bible teaches that nations and individuals have responsibilities to people in need.  Jesus and the prophets insisted that kings - the government of their day - had special responsibility for assuring justice for poor and vulnerable people.  In our democratic nation founded upon popular elections and freedom of speech, this responsibility for guaranteeing justice is transferred to the people.  For American citizens of faith and conscience, active participation in the public square and politics is both a precious right and a moral obligation.  Bread for the World founder Art Simon points out that failing to participate can actually perpetuate hunger: 'Saying nothing to political leaders is saying something to them.  We usually get the kind of leadership we ask for, and if we ask for none on hunger, that is what we can expect.'

Some may worry that expressing concern for poor and hungry people by writing letters to Congress in church violates the Constitutional provision of separation of church and state.  It is precisely this document, however, which states that under the First Amendment, churches and people of faith have the right to speak out on public issues.  Historically, people of faith have exercised this right in raising their voices to help secure rights for African Americans, women and Native Americans.  Now, if we want to respond to God's call to make a real difference for hungry people in the world, we must likewise participate in shaping the laws, policies and programs that can eliminate the root causes of hunger and poverty.

Called to be political but not partisan, the church has a duty to encourage people of faith to become informed, active, responsible citizens.  This is not a violation of separation of church and state, but rather a call to be a faithful steward of our God-given gift of citizenship.  God's grace moves us to share his steadfast love and provision by helping other people, especially poor and vulnerable people.  We must not be silent.  Not when there is room at the table for all people, even the hungry and poor."

I believe this concern over separation of church and state may keep many churches from speaking for those who do not have a voice in this nation.  What do you think?  Should churches seek to be a voice for justice and compassion in our society by providing opportunities for people of faith to use their gift of citizenship?

(Note: This post is a collaboration of my own thoughts combined with Bread for the World text I have come across during my internship here at Bread www.bread.org)