From Lent to Easter: A Maltese Spiritual Journey Against Greed

In the heart of Valletta, near the bustling Republic Street, lies the Church of St. Catherine of Italy. This Lenten season, as the clock strikes six, the church’s heavy wooden doors creak open, revealing a scene of quiet reflection. The air is thick with the scent of beeswax candles and the soft hum of the Rosary. This is not just a church; it’s a sanctuary, a reminder that even in the midst of Malta’s fast-paced, consumer-driven society, there’s a Paschal remedy for greed.

Lent: A Season of Simplicity

Lent, the 40-day period leading up to Easter, is a time of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. It’s a season that encourages us to strip away the excess, to simplify our lives, and to focus on what truly matters. In Malta, where consumerism often reigns supreme, Lent serves as a timely reminder to turn away from greed and materialism.

Take, for instance, the traditional Maltese Lenten dish, ‘Qagħqija’. It’s a simple soup made from broad beans, peas, and sometimes a piece of salted tuna. It’s not gourmet, but it’s nourishing, and it’s a stark contrast to the elaborate feasts we often indulge in. It’s a humble reminder that we don’t need excess to survive, let alone thrive.

Easter: A Celebration of Resurrection

Easter, the culmination of Lent, is a celebration of resurrection, of new beginnings. It’s a time when we decorate our homes with Easter lilies, their pure white petals a stark contrast to the earthy tones of Lent. It’s a time when we gather around the table, not with extravagance, but with gratitude, for the simple things in life.

In the small town of Żebbuġ, the tradition of ‘Il-Ħajja’ takes place. It’s a procession where a statue of the Risen Christ is carried through the streets, followed by a band playing joyful music. It’s a spectacle, yes, but it’s also a reminder that Easter is not about the commercial, but about the spiritual.

Greed: A Maltese Challenge

Greed is not a foreign concept to Malta. It’s evident in our traffic jams, our housing crisis, our political scene. It’s the ‘more is never enough’ mentality that often permeates our society. But Lent and Easter offer a remedy, a spiritual antidote to this materialistic poison.

It’s in the quiet moments of reflection during Lent. It’s in the joyful celebrations of Easter. It’s in the simple acts of kindness, of charity, that we choose to make, not because they’re expected, but because they’re the right thing to do.

So, as we navigate through this Lenten season and approach Easter, let’s remember the lesson of the humble ‘Qagħqija’ soup. Let’s remember the joy of ‘Il-Ħajja’ procession. Let’s remember that in the face of greed, there’s a Paschal remedy. It’s not found in the excess, but in the simplicity. It’s not found in the material, but in the spiritual.

As the Maltese saying goes, “Mhux għalhom, għalna” – It’s not for them, it’s for us. Let’s make this Easter a time of spiritual renewal, a time to turn away from greed and towards gratitude.