The Difference of an “A” (05/04/2024)

I was with my daughter when she received the e-mail. She wasn’t sure how to take it. She read it out loud to me. I noted the simple word “a” made all the difference in how to interpret the message. She questioned what I meant. I explained that to say “it brought me little solace” would mean little to none, but to say “it brought me ‘a’ little solace” would mean some solace was received. Amazing, we concluded, how a single, simple word can change things. Little things matter.

I have always been saddened by the small things left unsaid and undone. “What difference will it make?” I hear that a lot. I find it a sad commentary on us as a modern society. Few of us will discover the next big medical breakthrough or the next world-transforming technological innovation, but all of us have the ability to change the world through our small acts of kindness, our short personal interactions, our smiling acknowledgment of another, a simple touch on another’s shoulders.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux has been on my mind a lot lately because she has been named our pastorate’s patron. Whenever I think of her, I always remember her simple, short sentence: “Do all that you do with love.” She understood that love makes small things matter. She never left France, yet she is the patroness of missionaries. Love is transformative, no matter its size.

How different would our world be if instead of wondering “what’s the least I have to do” we wondered “what should I do”? However, if we truly want a transformation of our world, those of us who do know Jesus Christ and believe with all our might in the ongoing mission of salvation, we know what love can do and we seek to live it as He commanded us.

We know from Jesus’ life and death that what the world may deem insufficient is actually wonderfully enough. Remember the 5 loaves and 2 fish? Remember the life of a carpenter/prophet upon a cross for the salvation of all of humanity? The world get it wrong frequently when it asks “What difference will it make?” based only on volume or weight or prestige. Let us not fall into that trap.

As we continue on our way, following in the footsteps of our all-loving and all-present LORD, let us be open and eager to do the little things that come up: speak to another with respect and authentic concern, open a door while smiling, donate a bag of groceries to the food pantry, invite another to attend church with us, listen to one who needs to talk, sit with another who is lonely. Let us remember all day and every day that love can make the smallest of things matter.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.