Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. For the Lord satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things. ~ Psalm 107:8-9 (NRSV)

Welcome to the madness of another “Black Friday!” Perhaps your daily caloric intake went “off the charts” yesterday? Are your intentions now to burn off some of those calories by rushing to take advantage of unbeatable prices?

While today is not an official holiday, countless shoppers will nevertheless take to the streets to consume and spend their hard-earned money. Stampedes of bargain hunters will be drawn to the stores with those BIG, bright signs that read: “SALE! SALE! SALE!” Perhaps you will be one among the many hordes of customers?

It’s hard to believe we have already entered another holiday season. This year, my mind isn’t engrossed with shopping ideas as in year’s past. No. My thoughts have been fixed on a totally different concern: a group of people who aren’t thinking about shopping ideas either. In fact, they could care less about discounts of any kind. The people I’m thinking of are the myriad men, women and children who are crossing their fingers, hoping for a miracle as their stomachs twinge for food.

These same people are not satisfied and need our help!

This past Wednesday a tall, Hispanic man entered Marble through the 29th Street entrance. He came to the church hoping to speak to a Marble Minister. At that time, I was the only Minister available so I made my way down to the lobby. This man, like so many other “walk-ins” I have encountered, didn’t necessarily expect to receive money or even food after telling his heart-wrenching story. Rather, he wanted to know that someone in this world cared and would maybe even say a prayer for him. There are far too many people in this man’s situation here in New York City.

The statistics of hunger in this country are quite staggering. Recently, a friend and colleague of mine, Rev. Erik Buteyn, Lead Pastor of Higher Ground near Dallas, wrote a challenging article about hunger in America. In it he says the following:

A larger number of individuals, more than expected, are unsatisfied according to the “food security index” this past year. The New York Times reports over 49 million Americans were considered “hungry” by national standards, an increase of 13 million in 2008… Even more frightening, is the fact there are 506,000 American households with children labeled “very low food security” which means these children are often forced to skip meals due to lack of food. If you are blessed, your blessings are in need!

Some of you have probably been given a yellow “Marble Fights Hunger Grocery List.” On the reverse side, we learn some very sobering statistics. Here in New York there are 1.3 million New-Yorkers who live in food-insecure households. 34% have had to choose between food and paying rent. 22% have had to choose between food and medical care. 417,000 of them are children. Those in low-income neighborhoods also face a lack of stores with affordable, nutritious food.

What can you do to help? First, I would invite you to join the Marble Fights Hunger cause. Get into the habit of bringing non-perishable food items to Marble Church each and every Wednesday or Sunday you come for worship. We make donations to City Harvest, Ecclesia, Sylvia’s Place, HONEY (Help Our Neighbors Eat Year-Round), AIDS Service Center (NYC), St. Augustine’s Church (Bronx), and Grace Episcopal Church (Harlem). Also, you may want to go to our church website and click on “Outreach” for other ways to serve.

How does the Lord “satisfy the thirsty” or fill the hungry with “good things?” It can all happen through us. The Scriptures teach us that we have been blessed to be a blessing to someone else. We can be change agents, ushering in the Lord’s miracles here on earth. Are you satisfied? If so, maybe you could help someone in need this Advent and Christmas season by sharing from your own contentment?