Msgr. Pope on the Stages of Physical and Spiritual Starvation

"Physical hunger is a serious problem; We are obliged to assist the starving and malnourished. But even more prevalent these days is spiritual hunger, if not outright starvation. As is the case with physical hunger, the source of spiritual hunger is not God, who has given us abundant grace and truth; it is we who are the source. It is a strange starvation to be sure, for it is largely self-inflicted. Further, it seems to be at an advanced stage.

"I am told that as physical starvation advances there comes a time when a kind of lethargy sets in. Although a person knows he is hungry, he lacks the mental acuity to want to do much about it. This seems to be the stage of spiritual starvation at which many Westerners find themselves today. Most people know they are spiritually hungry and are longing for something, but through a kind of lethargy and mental boredom, they don't seem inclined to do much about it. . . ."

In a recent commentary based on the writings of Saint John Chrysostom, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the progressive stages of physical starvation and their spiritual equivalents.

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: Of Hunger and Hallucinations - How the Stages of Starvation Describe the Decaying West (23 SEP 22)