The penny and the vase

With reference to Fr Mario Attard's compelling article A New Heart (May 27), I have a story to tell: Salvatore's antique shop in the heart of Valletta was a veritable cornucopia of dusty treasures. Ancient oil lamps, brass candlesticks, spotted mirrors, china chamberpots and willow patterned plates jostled for position with Venetian glassware-gilded chairs and a plethora of bric-a-brac. Rarely could Rosina pass the green window without pressing her nose tightly against the pane in order to feast her tired, brown eyes on the magic of its contents.

She never entered the little shop, because her slim purse did not make allowance for such extravagance and the hungry brood at home made big inroads into Lino's weekly pay packet.

One fine day, as this window held our dear Rosina, she caught sight of the slim-necked Chinese vase of exquisite proportions which had been knocked down to the reasonable price of 10 shillings. On the spur of a mad moment she dived into the shop and slapped a note on the counter. Triumphantly she bore her prize home, well jammed in, between the cabbages, carrots and macaroni in the old children's pram which doubled as a shopping trolley. Arriving at her home, the precious vase was placed on the kitchen table for all to touch, to view and to admire. Four-year-old Dion, demanding closer inspection, was hoisted on to the table and without much more ado he plunged his hand down the neck of the vase and was unable to pull it out.

Consternation ensued in Rosina's kitchen. The neighbours were called in and, despite prayers, coaxing, pleading and threats, all was in vain until the wise old Pawlu, solved the problem. Calmly he instructed Dion to fold over his fingers in order to reduce the diameter of the little hand, but the child cried out: "If I do that, Nannu, I will drop my penny!"

And so it will be with me if I disregard the word of the Lord and refuse to put it into practice. I will go through this life - which God intended to be a great journey for each of us - with my hand trapped permanently in a pot, grimly holding on to my penny of pride; a sin which has aptly been called by the poet "the never-failing vice of fools".

I will miss out on a marvellous adventure where God has assured me: "I will go with you and prosper all that you do" (Exodus. 33:14). Imagine! And for this journey what do I need? A new heart, and the humility earnestly to pray: "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your Divine Love."