|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Everyday Sacrifices
Mar
22
Written by:
Sunday, March 22, 2009
4th Sunday of Lent
March 22, 2009
Some people have the mistaken idea that God is mostly impressed by the big things we do, but that is a worldly way of looking at life and our accomplishments. In fact, from the Lord's perspective, it is quite the opposite. What pleases God most is faithfulness to the little things in life. So many opportunities pass us by because we don't recognize them for what they are – ways to please God by small daily sacrifices of our own will.
This kind of spirituality can take us very far in the spiritual life. There is no greater example of this than St Theresa of Lisieux, who lived her life in an obscure convent with four others sisters. As her death approached, she overheard one sister remark that there would be almost nothing to put in the obituary, as she had no real accomplishments. And yet she is now a doctor of the church, declared by none other than John Paul II as the greatest saint of the 20th century! How did she do it? The same way we are called to: by paying attention to the details.
I am certain that our life review at the end of our earthly pilgrimage will focus on just such things: the smile we gave to someone who may or may not have returned it; the gift we worked so hard to buy to please someone, even if we were not thanked; the time we took to listen to a conversation when we were tired; the times we tried to forgive even if it wasn't wanted. The list goes on and on.
Following the commandments is usually consists of battles fought in the details, and God is very pleased by these small sacrifices for love of him: the time we refrained from gossip even when was very tempting; the spontaneous gift we gave to someone outside the grocery store who was selling something; the small kindly deed that changed someone's life, though we will not know it until we reach eternity. Remember, far from building a church, dying a martyr or fasting on bread and water for forty days (which almost none of us is able to do), Jesus rather tells us that anyone ... who gives to one of these little ones a cup of cold water to drink, truly I tell you, he shall not lose his reward (Matthew 19:42).
Many people will be surprised to learn the incredible consequences of just one small act of love for God or our neighbor. It is human nature to feel that the greatest and most heroic deeds undertaken are those loved most by God (which can discourage us because there are usually few opportunities to so these things),when in fact it was what seemed trivial to us at the time that may end up being of supreme importance to God.
Father Gary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|