Wednesday
of the 3rd Week of Lent
March 26,
2014 6:30am
Sometimes something really good
or even great begins with the simplest word or gesture.
Listening attentively, a warm
handshake, a pat on the back, an offer to assist with something, an affirming
word –
Sometimes simple words or
gestures like these can eventually lead to a good friendship or, in some
situations even a marriage.
At the opposite end, sometimes
something really bad begins with the simplest word or gesture.
Little sparks of anger, four-letter
exclamations, so-called white lies, pretending you do not see the other
person’s need –
Sometimes simple words or
gestures like these can eventually lead to betrayal, estrangement, even to
verbal or physical abuse.
Today Jesus is instructing his disciples
to watch out for the little things.
It is the little things that can
strengthen our relationships – with God and with each other and with society.
And it is little things that can
also erode these same relationships.
Really good and really evil things
and situations often start with little things.
That is Jesus’ point today.
That is why he calls us to be
mindful of even the smallest part of the letter of the law and of his teaching.
That is why he calls us, for
example, not just not to kill someone, but not even to let angry feelings get expressed
in any destructive way.
In a way, it is a simple and
obvious teaching.
But it is one we easily lose
awareness of and forget.
It is a good reminder for this
season of Lent.
