Activity Sheet 1 (For Use on Week 1)

Emmaus meal 4-week programme of reflection on food

Activity sheet 1 (for use on week 1)

Photo: Simon Rawles

“Lack of food for the poor is the most un-Eucharistic situation on earth: a grossly humiliating sinfulness of humanity in our advanced society, a darkness on human civilisation”

Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga, President of Caritas Internationalis

Grace: Say the following grace from Dennis Momoh, who works for CAFOD in Sierra Leone, together as a group

My God and Father in Heaven,

I thank you for today. I thank you for the food you have provided for me and my household.I appreciate you for everything you have done for me and you are about to do.

Bless this food even as I eat and bless those who cannot afford a meal like this.

Provide for them and make a way for them where there is no way.

May this food bring healing and blessings to me and my household even as we partake, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Story: Ask someone to read aloud and listen to Mohammed’s story together

Mohammedis 14 years old and lives with his mother in Sierra Leone. He was born during the country’s brutal civil war. Many people died of starvation during this time. Mohammed’s mother kept him alive, while running from the rebels, by feeding him with rice papgiven to her by strangers.

Even after the war, Mohammed and his mother struggled to get enough food. They had no money, no food, no home. And there was Sierra Leone’s hungry season. This is six months of the year when nothing grows.

Mohammed says, “I was hungry. I felt my stomach cry out in pain and my head turned. I felt weakness.”

Caritas Kenema, our partner, has trained Mohammed’s family to grow crops on previously unused swampland. This land, formerly used for diamond mining, has been transformed into fertile farmland which can be used to grow crops throughout the year, even in the dry seasons.

It’s a truly incredible plan that has transformed something that was the source of so much evil into a source of hope.

Mohammed works on the land. The crops that he grows will help to feed his family, and the surplus can be sold enabling him to go to school next year.

Reflection questions giveyour thoughts/reflections on Mohammed’s story: buzz in twos for three minutes, using the reflection questions to guide you if necessary, then share with your small group.

What strikes you about Mohammed’s experience? What challenges you?
In Sierra Leone, unused diamond mines have been transformed into fertile farmland. What transformations can you bring about in your own life this Lent? And in the lives of others or in the world around you?
What could you and your parish/community do to change a situation where so many people go hungry?

Taste: Stew is a staple food in Sierra Leone and would often be served with rice.

Taste your food – what are your reactions? What is your staple food and how do you prepare it?

Photo: Simon Rawles

Scripture: Ask someone to read aloud and listen to this piece of Scripture together.

And as they were eating he took bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to them. “Take it,” he said, “this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he handed it to them, and all drank from it, and he said to them, “This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, poured out for many.” Mark 14:22-24

Reflection: Ask someone to read aloud and listen to this quotation from Church teaching together.

“You have tasted the Blood of the Lord, yet you do not recognise your brother... You dishonour this table when you do not judge worthy of sharing your food someone judged worthy to take part in this meal. ... God freed you from all your sins and invited you here, but you have not become more merciful.” St John Chrysostom

Reflection questions: give yourthoughts/reflections on the Scripture and CST quotation: buzz in twos for three minutes, then share with the rest of your small group.

Why does Cardinal Rodriguez call lack of food the most un-Eucharistic situation on earth?
Who do we exclude from taking their place at the table, set for all?
How can we express our solidarity and ensure that all people are invited to take part in the feast?

In the light of the Scripture and the Catholic Social Teaching, do you see anything new in Mohammed’s experience?

Write your own grace: When you have finished discussing the story, Scripture and Church teaching, write a new grace which gives thanks for the food that God has given to us all, and which draws out the main theme of your discussions.

Closing prayer

Reader: God the Creator calls us to liberate all from the yoke of hunger.

All: We promise to share what we have so that those among us who are hungry receive their fair share of food, given by God to us all.

Reader: God the Redeemer challenges us to a life of fraternity, inspired by solidarity.

All: Together we seek to realise the common good so all people may live life to the full.

Reader: God the Sanctifier inspires us to have the courage to be prophetic and take action.

All: Together we call for an end to the scandal of hunger and poverty and we will work together so that all may have enough to eat.

Activity sheet 2 (for use on week 2)

Photo: Annie Bungeroth

“It is necessary to rediscover those values engraved in the heart of every person … the sentiment of compassion and of humanity for others, the duty of solidarity and the commitment to justice.” Benedict XVI, World Food Day 2011

Grace: Say the following grace, written by Emily (pictured above), together as a group.

Lord we give you thanks and honour because of the food in front of us.

Bless it and bless our lives.

Help them that don’t have.

In the name of our Lord Jesus, Amen.

Story: Ask someone to read aloud and listen to Emily’s story together.

Emily Mbithuka lives in Kathithu village, in Kitui, Kenya, with her husband and their five children. She has been given seeds and training to grow her own crops, but she struggles to get a fair price. The amount she produces is too small for larger traders to travel the bumpy road to her farm. So she sells to shopkeepers who then sell her produce on at triple the price.

“I’ve made a plan of trying to plant more vegetables to increase my income to support my family. I hope that when the vegetables mature, my family will eat well and they won’t have to skip meals. It will also mean that the children don’t have to miss school because we can pay the school fees.

It’s difficult because the shopkeepers have control of the price. It’s not good because we don’t have an option of where to take our produce. It’s like we’re being cheated. I feel exploited. It’s unfair. I’d like people to come here to buy my crop. It would be good to get people to come here.”

Reflection questions:give your thoughts/reflections on Emily’s story: buzz in twos for three minutes, using the reflection questions to guide you if necessary, then share with your small group

What strikes you about Emily’s experience? What challenges you?
How could Emily change her situation? Who else could help Emily to change her situation and have enough food for her family – for example, local government, businesses, international community, you? What could they/you do?

Taste: Ugali is a staple food in the region of Kenya that Emily is from. It is a type of cornmeal porridge and would normally be served with vegetables or a stew. As an alternative, you may have chapatis. These are also eaten in Kenya.

Taste your food (Ugali or chapatis) – what are your reactions? What is your staple food and how do you prepare it?
Photo: Annie Bungeroth

Scripture: Ask someone to read aloud andlisten to this piece of Scripture together.

When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, “This is a lonely place, and time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.” But they answered, “All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.” So he said, “Bring them here to me.” He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves he handed them to his disciples, who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps left over, twelve baskets full. Now about five thousand men had eaten, to say nothing of women and children. Matthew 14:15-21

Reflection: Ask someone to read aloud andlisten to this quotation from Church teaching together.

The drama of hunger in particular can only be overcome by “eliminating the structural causes that give rise to it and promoting the agricultural development of poorer countries. This can be done by investing in rural infrastructures, irrigation systems, transport, organisation of markets, and in the development and dissemination of appropriate agricultural technology that can make the best use of the human, natural and socio-economic resources that are more readily available at the local level.” Caritas in Veritate #27

Reflection questions: give your thoughts/reflections on the Scripture and CST quotation: buzz in twos for two to three minutes, then share with the rest of your small group.

How do you think we can rediscover the values of compassion, solidarity and justice that Pope Benedict talks about?
What do you think the structural causes are that stop people getting their fair share of food? And what can we do to challenge them? (See the Food for Thought guide for ideas, if you are stuck).
In the light of the Scripture and the Catholic Social Teaching, does this change your initial reaction to Emily’s experience?

Write your own grace: When you have finished discussing, in your group, write a new grace which gives thanks for the food that God has given to us all, and which draws out the main theme of your discussions.

Closing prayer

Reader: God the Creator calls us to liberate all from the yoke of hunger.

All: We promise to share what we have so that those among us who are hungry receive their fair share of food, given by God to us all.

Reader: God the Redeemer challenges us to a life of fraternity, inspired by solidarity.

All: Together we seek to realise the common good so all people may live life to the full.

Reader: God the Sanctifier inspires us to have the courage to be prophetic and take action.

All: Together we call for an end to the scandal of hunger and poverty and we will work together so that all may have enough to eat.

Activity sheet 3 (for use on week 3)

Photo: Claudia Torres

“A model of development built on fraternity: if it is inspired by solidarity and directed towards the common good… will be able to provide correctives to the current global crisis.” Benedict XVI, World Food Day 2010

Grace: Say the following grace from El Salvador together as a group.

Lord our God, we thank you for the bread you give us. Help us to share what we have with those who are in most need. Bless us with generosity and justice. Amen.

Story: Ask someone to read aloud and listen to Fidel’s story together

Traditionally farmers like Fidel Ramos in El Salvador have shared and saved seed, sowing different varieties to suit different conditions and climates. “I believe strongly we shouldn’t let our native seeds disappear, we should value what is ours,” he says. “We share seeds between different communities, so that we can grow more varieties of crops.” This means if one type fails, all is not lost.

But nearly 70 per cent of the global seed market is controlled by just ten companies, whose focus is on maximising shareholder profit. Some governments and companies urge small-scale farmers to buy hybrid or GM patented seeds which offer a higher yield. However farmers may then have to buy new seeds every year and often herbicides or pesticides too. This can reduce the variety of seeds available and weaken local knowledge and control over food.

Reflection questions giveyour thoughts/reflections on Fidel’s story: buzz in twos for three minutes, using the reflection questions to guide you if necessary, then share with your small group.

What strikes you about Fidel’s experience? What challenges you?
Do you grow any of your own food? What is enjoyable about it? What are the challenges? Do you buy seeds or keep them from the year before? Why would farmers like Fidel be tempted to buy commercially produced seeds?
Do you think that companies should have to report on their impact on communities and the environment, or should they be allowed to do whatever is necessary to make a profit, especially if that keeps people in jobs?

Taste: Tortillas are a staple food in El Salvador and across Central America. Fidel and his family would be likely to eat them with every meal – with some or all of the following: rice, red kidney beans, soft cheese, avocado, chicken or scrambled egg.

Taste your food – what are your reactions? What is your staple food and how do you prepare it?
Photo: Sophie Stanes

Scripture: Ask someone to read aloud and listen to this piece of Scripture together.

There was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently every day. And at his gate there used to lie a poor man called Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to fill himself with what fell from the rich man’s table. Even dogs came and licked his sores. Now it happened that the poor man died and was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s embrace. The rich man also died and was buried.

In his torment in Hades he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off with Lazarus in his embrace. So he cried out, “Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.” Abraham said, “My son, remember that during your life you had your fill of good things, just as Lazarus his fill of bad. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony. But that is not all: between us and you a great gulf has been fixed, to prevent those who want to cross from our side to yours or from your side to ours.”

So he said, “Father, I beg you then to send Lazarus to my father’s house, since I have five brothers, to give them warning so that they do not come to this place of torment too.” Abraham said, “They have Moses and the prophets, let them listen to them.” The rich man replied, “Ah no, father Abraham, but if someone comes to them from the dead, they will repent.” Then Abraham said to him, “If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead.”Luke 16:19-31

Reflection:Ask someone to read aloud and listen to this quotation from Church teaching together.

A reform of international institutions according to the principle of subsidiarity is essential, since “institutions by themselves are not enough, because integral human development is primarily a vocation, and therefore it involves a free assumption of responsibility in solidarity on the part of everyone.”

In order to eliminate hunger and malnutrition, obstacles of self-interest must be overcome so as to make room for fruitful gratuitousness, manifested in international cooperation as an expression of genuine fraternity. This does not obviate the need for justice, though, and it is important that existing rules be respected and implemented, in addition to whatever plans for intervention and programmes of action may prove necessary. Benedict XVI, World Day of Food 2010

Reflection questions give your thoughts/reflections on the Scripture and CST quotation: buzz in twos for three minutes, then share with the rest of your small group.

What do you think Pope Benedict means by fraternity?
How do we show real gratuitousness – going above and beyond giving just of our excess?
In the light of the Scripture and the Catholic Social Teaching, does this change your initial reaction to Fidel’s experience?

Closing prayer

Reader: God the Creator calls us to liberate all from the yoke of hunger.

All: We promise to share what we have so that those among us who are hungry receive their fair share of food, given by God to us all.