LOVE FOR GOD IS SHOWN IN OUR CARE FOR LITTLE THINGS.
We will be vigilant in love and far from lukewarm if we remain faithful in the little things of each day. If we consider these little details in the examination of conscience, we will easily find the signals that show us the way and those which may lead us astray.
- Little things are the prelude to greater things, and loving vigilance feeds upon them. He who pays no attention to things that appear to lack importance falls into the greatest temptations.
Saint Francis de Sales emphasizes the importance of conquering in small temptations, for there are many occasions to do so during the day, and many victories in small things are more important than a single great victory.
- Moreover, even though wolves and bears are undoubtedly more dangerous than files, they never cause as much discomfort or by our patience as much It’s easy, the saint points out, to avoid homicide, but how difficult to avoid anger over little things.
- It is easy to avoid stealing our neighbor’s belongings, but how difficult it is at times to not desire them.
- It is easy not to spread false rumours about our neighbour, but difficult to avoid lying in our conversations.
- We easily avoid drunkenness, but how difficult it is at times to live sobriety (cf St Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, IV, 8).
Small daily victories strengthen the interior life and make the soul more sensitive to divine things. They are common situations:
- living the heroic minute on waking or starting our work;
- overcoming our curiosity by putting down that frivolous magazine that, at best, is a waste of time;
- offering a mortification at meals; living sobriety during a social engagement; offering pleasant conversation to others …
We are certain that for all the battles we win against those small enemies there will be a precious stone placed in the crown of glory that God prepares for us in his holy kingdom (ibid).
If we make an act of love with each temptation, with all those things in ourselves or others that may separate us from God, we will be filled with peace, and that which could have been an offence against God we will turn into a victory. Furthermore, writes the saint, when the devil sees that his temptations move us to love God, he will cease to tempt us (ibid, IV, 9).
If we are faithful in little things we will be girded, vigilant, on the alert when our Lord arrives. Our life will have been a joyful wait, while we joyfully carry out the task our Lord has entrusted to us in the world. Then we will fully understand the words of Jesus: Happy the servant whom his master finds thus on his return. Truly I say to you that he shall be placed at the head of all his possessions. His arrival is near at hand; we should always remain vigilant.
-EXCERPT FROM IN CONVERSATION WITH GOD