16th day of Lent- Luke 6:21

“Blessed are you who are hungry now,
    for you will be filled.
“Blessed are you who weep now,
    for you will laugh. Luke 6:21

Today's devotion points out the many negative effects being malnourished has on children.  It's not something I had to deal with growing up, nor my children.  "More susceptible to disease. Less likely to stay in school.  More likely to be involved in the criminal justice system. All because of hunger."  In light of this, the above words of Jesus can be confusing.  Is being hungry and in poverty a blessing, somehow a good thing?  Surely he can't mean that.  Jesus fed the hungry and paid particular attention to the poor and outcast.  And perhaps that's the point.  If you were one of the hungry Jesus is speaking to, his words would be good news.  You have not been forgotten.  There is hope.  You will be fed.   And how will this happen?  It happens as people come to Christ, have their lives and values change, and begin to "love one another," as God has loved us.  It happens through gifts of charity.  It happens through development programs.  It happens when people advocate for fair and just laws that do not harm the poor.  The above verse is a challenge to everyone who is able, to be part of the solution to "fill the hungry."