That there are still millions in the world today who are deprived and denied of food should scandalize us all.

Pope’s intention for May 2026 “That everyone might have food” exposes this stark reality and challenges us to respond to it. Many “goals,” national and global, have come and gone but millions, including children, continue to go to bed hungry daily.

Food is essential for our survival and our flourishing. It plays a crucial role in our personal and social lives.

We enjoy food, share it with others and most celebrations revolve around festive meals.

Food is sacred

Receiving food as God’s precious gift and sharing it with others, especially the poor and the hungry, is central to many Scriptural teachings and practices, be they Jewish or Christian, Hindu or Buddhist, Islamic or Sikh.

Indic spiritualities remind us that “food is God’s manifestation.” Truly, food is sacred!

I found the Sikh practice of sharing food daily at the Gurudwaras incredibly inspiring. The langar meal is served to all, promoting service, equality and inclusion.

How often I wish every Church in the world is recognized for sharing food with the hungry in the neighbourhood!

God’s abundance revealed

Yahweh gave manna to the hungry Israelites for nourishment and not for hoarding. Isaiah prophesied that at the divine feast, food will be in abundance and no one will go hungry.

Jesus recognized the hungry and shared meals with them. The multiplication of loaves reveals there is no shortage of food.

In God’s creation, there is enough for everyone, provided all rely on providence and are willing to share.

Selfishness has been normalized

We live in a strange world where selfishness and self-interest are normalized and accumulation of God given resources is the way to go.

Times when water and food were for sharing and not for sale (as a child in the 1970s, I remember villagers simply shared water, food and vegetables freely) are over.

For the Christian faith and life, sacramentality is central. Jesus wanted us to remember him by participating in a shared meal.

In the Eucharist, one is invited to receive Christ and be transformed into Christ.

Wherever food is shared, there is Jesus, as a gift, a blessing and a transforming presence.

Sharing as discipleship

Eucharistic Miracles are not only when one experiences an unusual divine intervention but also when we recognize the hungry as God’s children, as our brothers and sisters, and reach out to share with them what we have.

In sharing food, not only are we nourished, but we also become more authentic disciples.

Possibly, we can skip listening to St Basil who reminded us that “the food that we store up belongs to the hungry,” but Jesus will be there to unmistakably state that those who feed the hungry will be remembered and welcomed.

• Stanislaus Alla SJ holds a doctorate from Boston College, USA. He is an internationally published writer with interests in ethical concerns. He currently teaches at Vidyajyoti College of Theology, Delhi.