Lenten Ecological Conversion

MALTESE VERSION

Presence: I take a few deep breaths to calm my mind and body as I place myself in the presence of our God from whom all gifts flow freely and abundantly.

I ask for what I wish: I ask for the grace to openly and generously put my gifts (as little as they may be) at God’s disposal.

Text: Jn 6:1-15 The Multiplication of the bread
¹ After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. ² And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. ³ Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. ⁴ Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. ⁵ Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat? ⁶ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. ⁷ Philip answered him, Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little. ⁸ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ⁹ There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many? ¹⁰ Jesus said, Have the people sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. ¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. ¹² And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost. ¹³ So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. ¹⁴ When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world! ¹⁵ Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Points for meditation:

• Lent is a time to grow in our sense of gratitude for the gifts received, and so, in our responsibility to share our gifts with others.
• The young child in the gospel passage gave all that he had and it seemed so little with respect to the needs of the moment. “when my bread becomes our bread, then even what is little becomes sufficient. By contrast, hunger begins when I hold on to my bread for myself, when the satiated West holds onto its bread, its fish and its assets for itself…” (Fr Ronchi)

• Jesus’ logic is that of giving – not of hoarding – What do I bring to Jesus today?
• What is my attitude towards freely-giving and sharing?
• How can I make available what I have (even if little) to Jesus and my brothers and sisters in Christ?

Conversation: Speak freely to Jesus as a friend speaks to a friend or a servant to his master.

Other texts for your personal prayer time at home:

• Acts 4:32-35: The early church shared all they had, ensuring no one was in need. “No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.”
• Proverbs 22:9: “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
• Hebrews 13:16: “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
• Luke 3:11: John the Baptist taught, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.

Witnesses

Bjorn Formosa
Bjorn Formosa was diagnosed with ALS in 2015. He was initially given a prognosis of just two to three years. In spite of adversity and limitations, he has continued to fight against the disease, inspiring others with his resilience and determination. Bjorn has been instrumental in raising awareness about ALS in Malta through the ALS Malta Foundation, which he co-founded. His efforts have not only supported research but also provided a sense of community for those affected by the disease. He established Dar Bjorn, a care home for people with neurodegenerative diseases, offering free palliative care. This initiative has significantly improved the quality of life for many patients in Malta. Despite knowing that a cure for ALS may not be found in his lifetime, Bjorn remains committed to his mission. He has dedicated his life and resources to ensure that future generations might benefit from his efforts. His story has inspired countless people in Malta and beyond, demonstrating that even in the face of severe challenges and limitations, one can make a profound impact on their community.

Dun Anġ Seychell

Dun Anġ Seychell, a priest from Żejtun, inspired countless people through his tireless dedication to social justice and his unwavering commitment to caring for the most vulnerable. Despite having limited resources, he achieved remarkable feats by leveraging his faith, vision, and community support. He founded Fondazzjoni Nazareth by transforming his family home into a sanctuary for people with disabilities, providing care and support to those who had no one else to turn to. This act of generosity and compassion not only changed the lives of the residents but also inspired his community to embrace those in need. As a co-founder of Caritas Malta, Dun Anġ promoted values of social justice and human dignity. His work with Caritas extended beyond just providing aid; it instilled these values in everyone involved, creating a lasting impact on Maltese society.
Dun Anġ’s faith was the driving force behind his actions. He believed that everything he did was inspired by God, which gave him the strength and motivation to continue his work despite challenges. His determination and vision for a more equitable society inspired others to join him in his mission. Even in his final days, he remained enthusiastic about future projects, such as providing semi-independent accommodations for people with disabilities.