Dear family in Christ, I pray this article finds you well! May God give you encouragement if you are down, knowing that all things are possible with faith in Christ Jesus who continues to rise in the midst of all the troubles, trials, difficulties, sins and sadness we may endure in this life. Jesus is the door of mercy that never closes, as long as we reach out in sincere faith, truly repentant when we have sinned, and truly longing to do the will of our heavenly Father. Lately I have been trying to get inside of some words that St. Teresa of Calcutta said: “be faithful in small things because it is in them that our strength lies.”
I came across these words and they spoke to my heart. What does it mean to be faithful in small things? I think’s it’s about truly trying to know and do God’s will in the small things, and the big ones as well. A quick pause and a “Jesus what do I do?” will help us greatly I’m convinced! Readily I confess that this is not easy to do; seeking God’s will continuously, even in the small things. We can be encouraged though to know that God does delight to hear our voices and does delight that we seek His will in all things. Holy Spirit, please help us to listen well and to get into the frequent habit of asking for the Father’s will to be made known to us, and the habit of listening well for your voice in our conscience.
To do the will of God brings joy. It certainly isn’t always easy, and often involves denying our own desires (dying to self) and being stretched beyond what we may want to do, and drawn into what we ought to do. Love is self-emptying. When we are blessed to empty ourselves of our own will, giving in to our own desires, in favor of God’s will and the holy desires God imparts to us, we discover true, deep and lasting joy. We can find this joy through the little choices we make throughout the day, the small things that we ask God about and do. Sometimes, we’ll simply know what we need to do and ought to do. The more we grow in union with God, the more the habits (virtues) of knowing and doing the right (which will be in accord with God’s will) grow in our lives and illumine the Way of Jesus Christ before us.
I’m particularly struck by St. Teresa’s comment about the strength that is we garner in being faithful in small things. There’s peace of heart that comes from being faithful to God in small matters, this is certainly a blessing. Also, as we continue to be faithful to God in small things we are preparing ourselves, strengthening ourselves, to be faithful in the big things. The joy of being faithful to God refreshes the soul and keeps our hearts light and peaceful, ready to share the love of God with all we meet. May God grant us all true repentance for our infidelities, and a deep burning love (through the Holy Spirit) to desire to know God’s will, to carry it out with a happy heart, and to know the sweet joy of fidelity to our God…who is always faithful to us.
God bless you always!
-Fr. Patrick