Little Things

Yesterday I took a little trip, driving alone over to the Eastern Shore.

And I used that time to think about today’s Scripture readings.

What point was Jesus making with these stories of the mustard seed and the yeast?

Clearly it had something to do with little things.

Little things being important.

Little things growing into big things.

Little things having great impact.

Our Gospel excerpt itself was just a little thing; four short verses.

Thinking about it started an old song playing in my head—Little Things Mean a Lot.

When I got home, I checked it out on You Tube.

And the version I remembered was by Kitty Kallen back in 1954.

I was only seven then, but it was the #1 hit that year and I probably heard it over and over.

It’s been redone a few times over the years, so maybe even you younger folks have heard it.

The lyrics are nice, but it’s the title and the refrain that sum up the message—

Little things do mean a lot.

Then last night I walked past my seven-year-old grandson’s bedroom.

And he was singing, This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

So little things was definitely the recurring theme for my day.

And it’s the theme for Jesus’ two little parables.

So, what about all these little things?

We sometimes tend to discount little things.

We don’t even bother doing some things because they seem too little.

We say, I only have a little time or talent or treasure to offer.

It’s not enough to make a difference.

There’s no sense even starting.

What good would my little donation do to solve the refugee crisis?

What good would my little volunteer time do to end world hunger?

What good would my little prayer do; who am I that God would listen?

Well, today Jesus assures us that little things are important, they do mean a lot.

He reminds us that little things grow, and they enable other things to grow.

Like that mustard seed and that yeast.

So, let’s not be discouraged because something seems too little.

Let’s not be impatient because we don’t see quick growth.

Let’s just jump in and get started, and keep going.

Our little donations, our little volunteering, our little prayer—have great impact in two ways.

They grow within us, increasing our capacity to give and pray.

And they combine with the little gifts and prayers of others.

Growing in combination to become something truly big and important with world-changing impact.

Each of us has our own little light. 

Let’s let them shine as brightly as they can.

Tuesday, 30th Week Ordinary Time

Lk 13:18-21     Read this Scripture @usccb.org 

Hear Kitty Kallen