The third definition offered by the Merriam-Webster dictionary for the word “food” is “something that nourishes, sustains, or supplies.” The words roll around in my head as I consider John 21: 16-17:  ^“A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’”

Each of us has something that we can share with others that will nourish, sustain or supply them. We may even choose to literally feed others or provide the food to volunteers to serve the hungry. Lest we forget, people require food, and they also need so many other things. We need to recognize others’ needs and feed them with what we have been blessed with to share.

There are so many things that people can share with each other in a spirit of love that will nourish, sustain or supply them with something that fills a need, small or large: a smile, listening, guidance, gentle words, encouragement, discipline, presence, pat on the back, food, finances, courtesy, respect, humor… I have often heard that love is spelled “t-i-m-e.”  In the busyness of modern society, one of the greatest things we can feed Christ’s sheep with is time.  No fast food; take the time to feed the sheep you encounter even if they don’t see themselves as sheep of the Risen Lord. You have something to share that others need.