I read the article in The Times: Sacrilegious 1837 Theft From Cospicua Church (December 18). The report gave an account of a hideous burglary, desecration and theft on the night of October 18, 1837 in which a ciborium filled with consecrated hosts was stolen from the Church of St Theresa in Cospicua. A silver cross was broken off from the ciborium and a man tried to pawn it at a goldsmith’s shop. He was reported to authorities and eventually, it led to the recovery of the ciborium.

As we approach the Christmas season, there have always been many “signs” pointing toward Christian belief. For example, the “Star of Bethlehem” was a sign to the Magi or Wise Men, to guide them to the place where they could bring gifts to Jesus Christ shortly after He was born.

The “Cross” upon which Jesus Christ was crucified has gone from being an emblem of torture and shame to a “sign” of the grace and holiness that Jesus Christ represented by His suffering and His being our Saviour by His paying the price for the sins of mankind.

With regard to the 1837 story, we can relate to it – because that story again reminds us (in an unusual way) that the Cross has always been a tell-tale sign that we must be observant to the world around us. As noted previously the Cross has been an emblem of torture and pain – yet it is also a symbol of faith, hope, recovery and justice. Metal objects can theoretically be replaced but human souls cannot. I am thankful that the metal ciborium was recovered... but it was the observation of the Cross, combined with an alert goldsmith, who turned the situation around. It would otherwise have been an unsolved crime. Instead it led to apprehension of the culprit and recovery of what was “lost” – the ciborium.

During this Christmas season will we be equally vigilant? It need not necessarily be toward lost or stolen objects, but more importantly will we be receptive and kind toward the “lost” souls: the sick, the old, the jobless, the oppressed and the downtrodden?

I sincerely hope so.