Part III - Every Symphony Unfinished

Song and Celebration

The hungers of the heart are ultimately good. And food abounds in God's creation. Those things which properly nourish those hungers, which speak to that deep down ache, should be celebrated. We hunger for wholeness, intimacy, justice, peace. There are family, friends, places, prayers, experiences which God provides for us to give us sustenance on our journey.
But, truly enjoying God's gifts sometimes is difficult for us. It goes against our Catholic suspicion that behind every good thing lurks a catastrophe. The Irish lady was greeted with, "isn't it a great day!" She responded, "Yes, and we'll be paying for it!"
We will "pay for it" if we cling to the good things of creation, trying to tease from them the nourishment only God can give. But to enjoy them properly, holding them in freedom, and giving thanks, can bring us life. And surprisingly, we may discover a deep-down joy. We may even hear ourselves humming, "Jesu, joy of man's desiring..."