Faith & Identity

Jesus said to the crowds, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field. ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.

(Matthew 13:44-45)

These two parables of Jesus are most appropriate to reflect upon as Term Three gathers momentum. A St Patrick’s education has many distinct goals but each goal shares in the one ultimate goal of Beatitude. That is, to dwell in the eternal presence of God’s love. That is the treasure for which we should sell everything we own, that is the pearl of great value. To be in the presence of God is the only gift that fulfils the deepest desires of our heart. 

However, we should also reflect on the other joys in life. First, there is the joy of the senses. “The world is charged with the grandeur of God” says Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins. We experience joy in being warmed by a splendid sunrise, or the contentment of a beautiful meal. There is the joy of physical exercise that brings us vigour and health. In short, our desire for joy engages with the world and finds a world, truly God’s gift of creation, that satisfies our desires.  A St Patrick’s education opens our students to this encounter. Secondly, there is the desire of the intellect to understand: we don’t want to be confused or ignorant. We want the world to make sense. Undoubtedly, this is a priority for any school, especially for one that believes in the goodness of God’s creation. This world and its intrinsic order is open to our human understanding in so many ways. Every curriculum is built upon that foundation. We all know the joy that comes when, often after sustained effort, the answer to a problem finally appears.

But let us return to Beatitude and the fulfilment of our deepest desire, for here we are speaking of love. Our physical and intellectual desires search the world and find satisfaction. However, when love comes to us, love transforms and elevates those desires to a higher perfection. Indeed, when we feel loved, our desire is to become one worthy of those who love us. In the love of family and friendships we feel re-created in the fullness of joy. And when it is the love of God that floods our heart (Romans 5:5) our desire is to conform to infinite and perfect love, and in this we find perfect happiness. All other desires are taken up and perfected when love is our greatest treasure. 

In every event, in every moment within St Patrick’s College community, lies the invitation to recognise those who love us and desire only the best for us. Let us respond to that love. Let us build up each other in the love that recognises what truly satisfies the human soul, so that our community overflows with joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)   

 And for all this, nature is never spent;

    There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;

And though the last lights off the black West went

    Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs —

Because the Holy Ghost over the bent

    World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

(God’s Grandeur, Hopkins) 

May our term continue to flow with every grace and blessing. May we find the treasure and pearl of love. May God bless us all, in the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.