What a wonderful week of music we have just had. The two visiting Choirs from England and France fed our souls with the delight of wonderful song.
The Peterborough Cathedral Choir also sang at a Mass at St Joseph High School with Bishop Robert Barron. In the Mass, the bishop spoke of two things. Firstly, that the harmonies that we hear in such wonderful music are a very real reflection of the harmony of God the Father, Son and Spirit and the harmony of body and soul. Whichever way you listen to the music, it is greater than the sum of its notes.
Bishop Robert also spoke about St John Paul’s “Law of the gift”, which essentially reminds us of God’s superabundant providence. From the little we have, if we give it to Christ we will be enriched beyond measure and in doing so effect positive change. “The great spiritual law is the law of the gift. Although counter-intuitive, it is the way of the Spirit. Giving your life away for love increases life within you. You partake in the flow of the divine life. Hence, happiness is found in loving acts.” He gave as examples: Blessed Rose Hawthorne, who started with nothing, cared for Cancer sufferers in the 19th century and founded the Hawthorne Dominican Sisters who continue this great work in homes throughout the USA. Also, St Francis who, giving up everything, is one of the most influential Saints of the Church and we have thousands of Franciscans today. A third example nearer our own times is Mother St Teresa of Kolcata; today there are thousands of the community she set up, the missionaries of charity, helping the poor and destitute.
So think about it, “from the little we have, if we offer it to Christ we will be repaid abundantly to the ends of the earth”. It is another facet of the old adage that God blesses a generous giver. Again, I wish to thank you all for the generosity you have shown in the Together in Mission Campaign. This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. Whilst acts of self-discipline and denial are part of our traditional observance, let’s also look at ways we can give and thus effect positive change too.
May God bless you, your families, and the week ahead,
Fr Aidan Peter