“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
(St. Theresa of Calcutta)
This might be one of Mother Theresa’s most famous quotes. Being inspired to do great things is good, but she tries to direct our focus to the smaller events in our lives. You or I may never solve world hunger, but we can donate to our local food bank. We will never be able to stop all the injustices in the world (or even our community), but a kind word or a helping hand can transform someone’s day.
As Catholics, we should never forget simple acts of kindness: holding open a door for someone, letting someone go ahead of you at the store when they have only one item, calling or visiting someone who is sick, scooting over in the pew and letting someone sit next to us at Mass. We may get so caught up in doing extravagant things for the Lord – preaching, teaching, reaching out to the whole world – that we overlook the small things we can do for the Lord. Yet they are not small when done with love:
“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
I was reminded of the quote from Mother Theresa when last Sunday I witnessed one of our parishioners stop what he was doing to open a door for another parishioner who was carrying a couple of boxes. This small act didn’t change the world, but it was done with great love and might have made a difference for these two people. Our world could use more of this. In my short time at St. Timothy I have seen many small acts done with great love and I encourage us all to seek out these opportunities every day whether we are at home, work, church, or in our local communities.
God bless you all and have a great week!
With my love and prayers,
Fr. Patrick
