This week is Harmony Week. The name 'Concordia' literally means ‘together in harmony’, which gives Harmony Week a little more significance to our community.

Living in harmony with one another is what we all desire, but if we are honest, something with which we all struggle. We live in a world of disharmony, where relationships are often frayed - in our homes, communities and between countries. It's true to say, disharmony is so often the result of hurt and unforgiveness.

Next week is another special week - Holy Week. A week where Christians focus on the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus, especially on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Holy Week could also be given the title of Harmony Week. Jesus' purpose for coming into the world and was to restore harmony between God and humanity. The perfect relationship that existed at creation was lost due to sin, and it was only through Jesus that we can be forgiven and made right to live in harmony again with God and each other.

Only the selfless love and forgiveness that Jesus gave to the world through his actions during Holy Week bring true harmony to the world. In response, with God’s help, we can also live lives of forgiveness, selfless love and service to bring his kind of harmony to those around us.
Read St Paul’s words about living in harmony with each other: 

‘Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect harmony.’ - Colossians 3:12-14

A happy and harmonious Easter to you all!

Mark Rathjen
College Chaplain - Highgate Campuses