I've read this reading from I Corinthians a thousand times and heard it read at weddings and Masses...and I feel as if I know it like the back of my hand. And yet, today, I encourage you to slow down, and let the words sit on your heart and in your mind. Rest with them.
Consider these words first, before you think about how much more love to add to your life,
"But I shall show you a still more excellent way." -1 Cor. 12:31
St. Paul is encouraging us, and showing us a more excellent way to live and strive for spiritual gifts (which help us reach Heaven!). This more excellent way is through love.
"Little things done out of love are those that charm the Heart of Christ… On the contrary, the most brilliant deeds, when done without love, are but nothingness." St. Therese
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Bl. Mother Theresa
"Small things done with great love" is wisdom shared by these two holy women, whose lives were living examples of how to live with love. Though their actions may have been simple, small, and just what was needed from day to day, the amount of love with which each task was completed and offered back to Jesus made them great.
It is so important to remember to add love to our actions! It is like the secret ingredient that makes some food just taste amazing. Love is the secret to giving our actions a boost, a gift of ourselves, and an extra amount of joy.
Be encouraged, sisters. St. Paul is calling us to the more excellent way because he knows that in Jesus, we can strive for and attain the excellent way, through our loving actions.
Spend some time in silence today, resting first in God's love, and then let Him show you where to act today, how you can begin to do small things with great love.
Gina Fensterer is a wife, daughter, mother, friend, homeschooling mama and Colorado native. You can find out more about her here.