THE LITTLE WAY

"We cannot do great things, but we can do small things with great love" - Mother Teresa

Gospel text (Mt 14,22-33):
After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”

Today, Peter's experience reflects situations that, more often than not, we also eventually undergo. Who has never, ever felt, at least once, that the world was crumbling around and then decided to let it all go and surrender to despair?

No wonder the world doesn't pay much attention to the Lord. It merely reads the messages that our lifestyles often display: that we don't believe God is big enough to trust with all our heart, mind, soul, strength, and life (Lk 10:27). If we who belong to Him only regard God as worthy of a little bit of our lives, why should the worldly take Him seriously?

The good news is that God understands littleness. Jesus came to earth as a little child. He welcomed the little ones (Mt 18:2). The Lord spoke to Elijah through a "tiny" voice (1 Kgs 19:12). Jesus compared God's kingdom to the "smallest" mustard seed (Mt 13:31-32). Therefore, come to Jesus with the little strength you have (Jgs 6:14; Mt 11:28). If you must remain little, then follow St. Therese's little way, and become like a little child (Mt 18:3).

Trust God with all your life.