For this year’s Lent, I propose that we reflect on the five gifts, values, that Dun Karm Psaila, the national poet, identifies and reminds us of in the second stanza of Malta’s National Anthem. These five presents, these five gifts of God —in fact, we say to God, “Give, great God”— are sound judgement, mercy, health, unity and peace.
My first reflection is about the gift of sound judgement. Sound judgement is the ability one has to understand, recognise and decide to choose what is right and avoid what is wrong; that is actual sound judgement.
Sound judgement is wisdom’s brother. As we pray for this gift, even during the first week of Lent, let us do so in the spirit of what the Lord teaches us through the episode when he was subjected to temptation.
Sound judgement teaches us to recognise which is the path of righteousness. “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4). The word that comes from the mouth, from the heart of God, is a word of wisdom, not a foolish word; a word that shall always do you good.
Sound judgement leads human beings’ understanding to be pure. Let us pray for sound judgement, not only for those who govern but for all who carry responsibility. And we, brothers and sisters, are responsible for one another. Therefore, today, let us pray deeply for those who have any type of authority within the State, in the Church, but also in the family, and at the place of work. We all need sound judgement to make good choices, to make wise and responsible choices.
✠ Charles Jude Scicluna
Archbishop of Malta