St. Paul's Bay in Malta by Chris White

“ After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.  The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.”  –Acts 28:1-2

   Acts 27 and 28 describes the shipwreck of Paul and Luke on the island of Malta.  St. Paul's bay is the traditional site and it fits well with the description given us by Luke, Paul's traveling companion and missionary correspondent who wrote the New Testament book of Acts.  On the reef that the Roman ship struck before they could reach the shore there stands today a large statue of St. Paul.  The orientation of the statue is north and out to sea pointing in the direction of Sicily and Italy where Paul was to make his final journey.

  Near the shore of the bay is The Chapel of the Holy Bonfire.  Obviously, there is no definitive proof that this is the exact spot the Maltese built a fire to warm Paul and the rest of the shipwreck victims, but there is a strong historic tradition that the church of today sits on the location of a medieval church which in turn was built on the site of a chapel going back to the first century.  Regardless of where the bonfire  actually happened, that single act of kindness and hospitality, which would have been unknown or soon forgotten had it not been immortalized in scripture, had ramifications for the spiritual history of Malta and eventually the entire world.  Warmed by the fire, St. Paul was strengthened and able to continue towards his date with destiny in the capitol of the Roman Empire where he longed to preach the Gospel of Christ and to strengthen the church.

Statue of St. Paul facing north towards Rome

   My mind is always captivated by the fact that God uses the small kindnesses we offer to others and uses them greatly.  When I reflect upon the story of Paul’s encounter with the Maltese, it stirs in me the desire to look for the opportunity to be the ‘stranger’ who offers kindness out of a generous spirit.  We never really know the impact of these small deeds but when we do them we are in that moment acting most like our Creator.  For God is generous beyond human reckoning.

    In the Maltese capitol city of Valleta, the Cathedral of St. John is also a point of interest.  It is of no biblical significance, but was the conventual church of the Knights Hospitallar of Jerusalem.  This order of knights was formed during the first crusade (1099 AD) and gave shelter and care to sick and injured pilgrims from Europe who had made the journey to the Holy Land.  When Jerusalem was eventually retaken by the Muslims, the knights moved their headquarters to Crete and then to Malta.  Of interest in the church are the many side chapels, beautiful works of art (including a rare painting by Caravaggio executed when he lived in Malta for a short period),and the ornate graves of the knights in the floor of the church.  This Knightly Order continues today but has been headquartered in Rome since Napoleon captured Malta during the 19th century.

Bonfire Church at St. Paul's Bay

All of Malta is beautiful and even as St. Luke described the kindness of the Maltese that spirit is still present today.  When you travel around Malta and its companion island Gozo, you quickly see and feel that this small outpost in the Mediterranean has seen its share of history.  This island nation has its own identity and seems to welcome today, while not forgetting its heritage.  While remote, it is very accessible and well-worth the time and expense of a visit.