Post-modern society never tires from surprising us. Although there are people who ceaselessly criticise it for questioning legitimate authority however it gives ample room for technology to flourish and open up new horizons within the hermeneutic of daily existence.

Indeed, with the passing of time, computer technology has become so important for our every day life that, with the Greek-American architect, founder and Chairman Emeritus of Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Media Lab, Nicholas Negroponte, we can rightly affirm that “computing is not about computers any more.  It is about living”.

Who can function properly without a computer today?

As a priest, I consider myself as an evolving computer literate with much room for improvement within this delicate yet important area of social communication. For a number of years my computer lacked an appropriate mouse pad. A caring family, friends of mine, were cute enough to buy me a spiritual mouse pad. I was so amazed when I opened this simple but meaningful gift.

I never thought that God would even be featured on a mouse pad. But there He was, chasing after me. I must admit that I like so much the way this unusual computer accessory is depicted. On its left-hand side, there is a beautiful illustration of Blessed Mother Teresa with her hands folded and her eyes closed during a deep prayer moment.

Moreover, towards the centre of the mouse pad, there are her famous lasting words: “Your life may change only when you always remember that God loves you, not for doing great things, but for doing small things with great love”.

A mouse pad guarantees higher speed, more precision and comfort for me, as its user. Additionally, it protects my desk or table surface from being scratched or worn through continual hand and mouse rubbing movement. Lastly, it reduces the collection of debris that accumulates under the mouse of my computer, which results in reduced jitter of the pointer on display. Consider that these benefits are taking place within the aura of Mother Teresa’s dictum, as paraphrased and applied to my personal experience: “My life may change only when I always remember that God loves me, not for doing great things, but for doing small things with great love.” Its whispering life-giving wisdom reminds me of Jesus’ parable of the talents. To the servant who had received the five talents and brought five more, the master said: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master” (Matt 25, 21).

Faithfulness in performing our daily tasks marked by the intensity of that Christ-like altruistic self-giving love is what makes our lives worth living. Hence, in his weekly catechesis delivered on 4 August 2010, Pope Benedict XVI said: “Martyrdom will probably not be required of us, but Jesus asks of us fidelity in small things, inner recollection, inner participation, our faith and our efforts to keep this treasure present in every day life. He asks of us fidelity in daily tasks, a witness to his love, going to church through inner conviction and for the joy of his presence. Thus we can also make known to our friends that Jesus is alive.”

Irrespective of whether it is made up of density rubber composites, fabric, plastics, recycled rubber tires, neoprene, silicone rubber, leather, glass, cork, wood, aluminum, stone and stainless steel my mouse pad is special since by means of its untiring work Jesus is ceaselessly given to those who need him, first and foremost myself! As Saint Isaac the Syrian said: “Love the poor and, through them you will find mercy”.

Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap

San Gwann