Seeds of Love Lent 2017 Hello and welcome to week 6 of Lent! Jesuit Missions is inviting you this Lent to focus on FOOD. We are going to be showing you different food, or livelihoods* projects that Jesuit Missions supports all around the world. We hope it will be an opportunity for you to learn more about what JM does around the world, and perhaps even find a cause to commit to/support this Lent! * Livelihoods are the things needed for a means of living. These things, or assets, could be “tangible, such as food stores and cash savings, as well as trees, land, livestock, tools, and other resources. Assets may also be intangible such as claims one can make for food, work, and assistance as well as access to materials, information, education, health services and employment opportunities.” – United National International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) http://www.unisdr.org/files/16771_16771guidancenoteonrecoveryliveliho.pdf During this period, we will be praying, encouraging you to think about food (or fasting) and encouraging alms giving (or fundraising).

“[Jesus]…said to them, “Whichever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at her.” When they heard this, they all left, one by one, the older ones first. Jesus was left alone, with the woman still standing there. He…said to her, “where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you?” “no one, sir” she answered. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again.” ” - John 8:1-11 Let’s begin this morning’s presentation by reading and praying over the words in this scripture passage. This is a very well known passage in the Bible, which is often quoted as a reminder not to judge others. What do you think Jesus is trying to teach us? Here are some reflection questions: 1) Can you remember a time you have used or heard the phrase in bold? When or why? 2) What is the significance of ‘they all left’? Could you apply this to your own lives? 3) Think back to the past projects you heard about. How would you compare your lives to the lives of the people in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Syria? These questions are suggested only. As the presentations are designed to be given at assemblies (lasting no longer than 15/20 minutes), the questions should be more of an internal dialogue (similar to an Examen) than a spoken discussion. If there is time however, they can be discussed aloud.

Last week we heard a little about the field kitchens in Damascus, Syria. To refresh your memory, the field kitchens of Damascus were set up by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in 2015 to respond to the humanitarian crisis which has been ongoing in Syria since 2011. Access to food is one of the most important issues in Syria. Everyday people are denied access to services we have freely available everyday. The scale of the crisis is overwhelming.

Despite the fact that food is a fundamental resource for all humans, 10-11% of the world’s population (around 795 million people) do not have enough food to eat to live a healthy life*. They do not have a choice whether or not to fast for Lent.

Food production is still 40% behind what it was before the crisis began. Households spend 55% of their income on food, and yet reports show households go to sleep hungry 3-10 times per month. PAUSE FOR THOUGHT Think of the things you have heard about Syria so far. Consider these reflection questions: Can you think of a time in your day or week when you are very hungry, or when you might have used the word ‘starving’? How did you feel physically? Or emotionally? How did that impact on others around you? were you cranky? Did you shout? Did you carry on as normal? Food takes on a particular meaning for the IDPs in Damascus – what could it be?

As we are exposed more and more to the injustices that happens in our world, we probably feel disheartened. We may feel that government failures are inevitable and that there is nothing we can do about it. In reality, times of crisis like this is when civil society* is at its strongest. Projects like the field kitchen in Damascus are necessary responses to government failures. *non-governmental organisations, charities, not-for-profit sector

The work done by the JRS is effective and life saving and Jesuit Missions is proud to be supporting it. As you ponder on the words you have just heard, Jesuit Missions is encouraging you to do 3 things: 1) Pray for the continued success of all the projects you have heard about 2) Check out your local market or international food shop to find and maybe use some of the foods you have heard about 3) Continue fundraising for JM’s food projects!

How far would your money go? £5 buys One day of rent for a food delivery car £7 buys One day salary of chief cook £14 buys One gas stove £35 buys One fire extinguisher £55 buys One month of kitchen maintenance £147 buys One month of staff transportation If you are interested in fundraising for our projects abroad, here is an example of where your funds could go: £5 buys One day of rent for a food delivery car £7 buys One day salary of chief cook £14 buys One gas stove £35 buys One fire extinguisher £55 buys One month of kitchen maintenance £147 buys One month of staff transportation The power of organisations like the JRS and JM is that we are here to rise up when governments fail/are unable to do their role. We are also here to harness the power of everyday people, like yourselves, to support us.

Thank you Jesus for accepting me as I am: with all my weaknesses and sinfulness! Thank you for healing my brokenness, that I become whole again. Thank you for your loving mercy which makes me a better human being. Jesus, I pray to you to give me your compassionate heart to reach out to others, very specially those who are vulnerable, excluded and lonely; to those who hunger and thirst for your love. Help me become a person who is non-judgmental and who is able to see your image, likeness and dignity in all others. Amen! Let us end this presentation with a prayer, written by Fr Cedric Prakash SJ from the JRS.

© Copyright Jesuit Missions 2017 Text by Samantha Aidoo Cedric Prakash SJ. All photos were taken in Damascus, Syria by the Jesuit Refugee Service. Users are welcome to modify the material to fit their needs. jesuitmissions.org.uk education@jesuitmissions.org.uk Facebook: Jesuit Missions UK Twitter: @JesuitMissions