Little Things

SCRIPTURE
- 1 John 3:18         
"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."   

REFLECTION
- Peggy

MUSIC
- Quiet Streets by Gjeilo

NOTES
-

PRAYER OF LETTING GO
To You do I belong, O God,
into Your hands I surrender my life.
Pour out Your Spirit upon me
that I may love You perfectly,
and serve You faithfully
until my soul rests in You.

Transcript

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SPEAKER_02 0:36

This morning I was outside before dawn, walking amid singing birds through a darkness that was just beginning to lift. I saw the sky slowly filling with changing hues of pinks and oranges until finally the sun peaked above the horizon and lifted into the sky like a host, bathing everything in a warm and glorious light. That is why I am here, brothers and sisters, to join my voice with yours in praising our amazing God of wonder and beauty. Welcome to prayer. I'm Father Ron. This is the God Minute. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

unknown 1:44

Amen.

SPEAKER_02 1:45

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.

SPEAKER_01 1:52

Psalm 46. God is our refuge. God is our refuge, steady, present, unshaken, a help that comes before fear can take hold.

SPEAKER_00 2:10

So even if the earth trembles and mountains crumble into the sea, even if waters roar and the world feels fragile, we will not fear.

SPEAKER_01 2:24

There is a river whose streams bring joy, a quiet river of grace, flowing from the heart of God. God dwells in that holy place, and because he is there, it cannot fall.

SPEAKER_00 2:43

Nations may rage, kingdoms may totter, but at the sound of his voice all will be quiet. Be still, he whispers. Know that I am God.

SPEAKER_01 2:58

The Lord of hosts is with us, our fortress, our peace, our home.

SPEAKER_00 3:10

Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

SPEAKER_01 3:15

As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

SPEAKER_03 3:30

From the first letter of John, chapter three, verse eighteen. Little children, let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth. The word of the Lord. Think of someone you have known in your life who was a godly person. Someone you have a great deal of respect for. You probably see them as having a strong faith. Not because of their knowledge of the Bible, but because of their actions. It was the way they treated other people, how they cared for those around them, how they loved. Which caused you to notice and admire their faith in action. It's very important. That as Christians, we followed the example of sacrificial love modeled by Jesus Christ Himself. As part of his homily at Mass a few weeks ago, a presiding priest commented, in order for our faith to be authentic, our words and actions need to align. Well, I left church that day, pondering the question for myself and reflecting on my own alignment. Sometimes we are super good at telling other people what they should do and how they should live, but we fail to follow our own instructions. We need to, as the saying goes, walk the walk, not just talk the talk. There's so much work to be done in making this world a better place. I often wonder whether or not I'm really doing my part. Are my own words and actions in alignment? Well, in the quiet of Eucharistic Adoration recently, I posed the question directly to God. Is there more that I'm being called to do, Lord? And I waited. I was expecting some big important assignment. And instead, I was reminded of a variety of seemingly small tasks that I recently undertaken at my home parish. And then members of my family came to mind, as well as some friends who are struggling with health concerns lately. And there I had my answer. It's the everyday opportunities to show love to those right in front of me that provide moments to practice putting my words into action. Start with family members, co-workers, neighbors, friends, and then remain open to ways to allow that circle of influence to grow. The size of our good deeds, those that we perform, are never as important as the sincerity and the love for others that motivate us to serve. Fortunately, actions that show genuine care and concern are not one size fits all. Vigor is not always better. Whether large or small, actions like helping others, showing patience, practicing charity, let people see our faith in motion. Whether you give credit to St. Therese of Lesoux or Saint Mother Teresa, the idea of their quote remains the same. Small things done with great love are an excellent path to holiness. Knowing that our actions speak louder than words, let's commit to doing something today, no matter how small, to show our love indeed and truth.

SPEAKER_02 7:54

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Let us pray. Lord, give us generous hearts that do ordinary things with extraordinary love. When no one notices, let us remember that you do. When our efforts seem insignificant, remind us that nothing offered in love is ever small. May every little thing we do today become an offering to you and another step along the path to holiness. We ask through Christ our Lord. To you do I belong, O God. Into your hands I surrender my life. Pour out your spirit upon me, that I may love you perfectly and serve you faithfully until my soul rests in you. I love that line in your reflection, Peggy, when you said, Small things done with great love are an excellent path to holiness. Indeed. And that's going to be my focus today, to fill it with those small things. And I invite you to join me on our path to holiness. May God bless us as we do in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Thanks for sharing a little part of your day with us. Stay blessed, and we'll see you tomorrow.