WEDNESDAY OF THE TENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
In today's Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples, not the smallest letter will pass from the law. If you break the least of the commandments, you will be called least in the Kingdom. But if you obey and teach the commandments, you will be called greatest. (Matthew 5:17-19)
So often, we allow little sins to creep into our lives, knowing that we can turn to our merciful God for forgiveness in the confessional. These small sins seem harmless at first, like a pair of cast-aside shoes in the middle of the floor. But even these simple indiscretions will chip away at our relationship with the Lord and others.
Instead, if we are obedient even in the smallest of things, we please the Lord. St. Therese of Lisieux says, "Do small things with great love."
I cry every night at the "America Strong" section of the nightly news because I am moved by the small acts of love. While so much of our news is filled with horrific events, these are stories of ordinary people doing small things with great love. These small acts are how we change the world; begin where you are, and do good. We don't need to do grand things to teach the commandments. We need to do small things right where we are.
We can choose to allow small acts of rebellion to chip away at our days, or we can follow His commands and do all things with love.