Little Things Add Up (11/09/2026)

Saturday evening, I was scheduled to go to lector. I arrived early to check the readings. As I was standing at the ambo, I saw the sacristan come out and light the candles. I realized that meant that the assigned servers had not shown up. I took my seat, hoping someone would come forward, but as Mass began and I watched our pastor walk up the aisle alone, I realized that hadn’t happened. When it came time to read the scripture readings, I stepped forward and read the first reading. Then I sat for the psalm. As the music played, a 9^th grader stepped out of the sacristy. Our eyes met. I smiled broadly; he returned the smile. He had come forward to do what he could because he could. A little thing, but little things add up.

Today, our parish is accompanying a family during their journey of grief. There is a funeral followed by a funeral luncheon where the community can offer condolences and support over a meal. And there will be women in the kitchen, women serving water, women resupplying the buffet line, and a man running the dishwasher. Women donated homemade salads and desserts and other women prepared sandwiches and the hot sides for the meal. None of these tasks are “big.” None of them will make the news. There are little things that need to be done. But those who stepped up understood that on the journey, little things add up.

For most of us, the LORD calls us and gifts us with time, eyes to recognize needs, and a will to step in to meet that need. Few of us will accomplish Guinness Records or make the evening news. But the lack of press or recognition doesn’t deter those whose eyes follow Christ footsteps that tend to stop frequently in recognition of another, of a need. We can’t read much of any gospel without realizing that Jesus didn’t schedule healings. He encountered individuals and did what He could in the moment to address a real need. And as His disciples we are called to do the same.

As we continue our journeys of faith, bolstered by hope, fueled by love, let us allow that love to illuminate our views so we might see more clearly the needs before us and let us cooperate with the Spirit’s urging to step forward and do what we can in the moment. May we recognize that the little things we do along the way matter as we spend ourselves for love of our LORD and one another.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.