Luke Pearson

Dear Friends,
 

Back in early July of last year, I was preparing my heart and mind to make the journey out to Arizona to begin my service year with Beloved in the Desert. I was exuberant to get onto a plane at Laguardia Airport and begin to grow with my new community in the Southwest. Also, I was very pleased that I had been placed at Interfaith Community Services for my required worksite placement. Before I arrived in Tucson I had read that at Interfaith Community Services they provided people in the Pima County community the tools and resources to live happy, healthy, and sustainable lives. This included providing individuals and families financial assistance for rent or utilities, assisting seniors who did not have access to available transportation rides to the doctors office and grocery store, and a Food Bank that distributes food to those who face insecurity. I knew that I wanted to be a part of an organization that tackled various forms of poverty. Furthermore, I had volunteered at a soup kitchen back in New York and had written my senior thesis on food insecurity in college, so I wanted to ensure that I was involved at the ICS Food Bank during my work experience.
 

On my first day at ICS, I informed my supervisor of my desire to spend time working at the Food Bank, and he obliged my request. I started working at the Food Bank that very week. As soon as I arrived in the morning to begin my first shift, the volunteers and staff welcomed me with open arms. The pace of the food distribution and preparation was fast and efficient. There was a sense of tenacious joyfulness, especially from the volunteers, that was personified from their participation at the Food Bank. They were fully present with the responsibilities of feeding others, as well as being fully present with each other through laughter and enriching conversation. I felt blessed to be involved with an organization that strived to provide hope and hospitality to every individual in need that came to our doors.
 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus shows us that his unconditional love is manifested not only by feeding people, but through participation. He calls on us to open our eyes to see the people in need, and to engage with them through food and by building relationships. As a people of faith, service is our duty, whether we are serving one individual or five thousand. Our Savior did not, nor will he ever, shy away from those who are famished by the body or of the spirit. Once again, he stands his ground and invites the people to sit with him and break bread. Through God’s love we are no longer just sustained, but we are saved. We are no longer strangers who are lost in a crowd, but we are welcomed members of a community. The Lord has made us in his image and has given us unique gifts that we must share with others. Therefore, let us live in the joyful reality that God will always provide for us, and that we live out our call to participate and provide for others. 

God Bless,
Luke Pearson