Pentecost 2012
And suddenly there came from the sky
a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in different tongues,
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
Acts of the Apostles 2
What is great? What is small? And what, ultimately, do those distinctions matter? If we are enabled by the Spirit, then what we do is both great and small. A faithful response, however hidden or insignificant, is a great turning toward God, is it not? And a great, showy action, no matter how awesome it may seem, is really such a small thing when seen in the context of the vastness of God. God is the center, the goal, the end, and the only true greatness there is. No need to waste time or energy in measuring when Love is the only measure.
–Baya Clare CSJ
Be a person of such greatness that what is not God will be nothing, and embrace gently and eagerly great apostolic undertakings when the Holy Spirit urges you to this; but, according to this same maxim, whatever you do or suffer let your heart find it a trifle, as indeed it is, in comparison with the grandeur of God and the worth of God’s sovereign perfection.
–Maxim 91 of the Sisters of St. Joseph
Thanks so much, Baya ~ I especially like the artwork of today’s post ~ energizing, diverse, creative… fire!
And we also know that Jesus wept and keeps track of every tear. Blessings! Ellen
Baya, thank you for this reflection and a reminder of how great is our God and how great is our love from the smallest to the ….. I will send a breath of life to you this day as I plant little seedlings.
Natalie
This is true. It’s not always a grand gesture that matters. Our love is great in the eyes of God.