Daily Retreat 11/11/06
2006 Nov 11 Sat: Martin of Tours, bp M
Phil 4: 10-19/ Ps 111(112): 1b-2. 5-6. 8a and 9/ Lk 16: 9-15
From today’s readings: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.... Blessed the man who fears the Lord.... No man can serve two masters....”
Small Matters Matter Greatly
Most of us can distinguish between right and wrong very clearly when it comes to big issues, such as the heinous crimes that appear in the newspaper every day. Thanks to the guiding grace of God, we literally wouldn’t be caught dead doing such deeds!
But it’s a different story when it comes to smaller issues. There, the temptation is to lull our consciences with poor excuses such as, “I would never rob a bank, so it’s no big deal that I occasionally shortchange my customers;” or, “I tell the truth when it matters, so what if I lie about my age a bit now and then?”
In the endless hammering of these small matters, you and I are slowly forging our characters, for better or for worse. The more we practice self-deception, the better we get at it. Soon, the small matters start looming larger: “It won’t hurt if I miss Church this week - I went the last two weeks.” “This isn’t adultery - I’m just enjoying some time with another person.” “It’s just a blob of tissue - I would never kill an actual person!”
The person who is trustworthy in small matters becomes trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in small matters becomes dishonest in great ones!
Phil 4: 10-19/ Ps 111(112): 1b-2. 5-6. 8a and 9/ Lk 16: 9-15
From today’s readings: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.... Blessed the man who fears the Lord.... No man can serve two masters....”
Small Matters Matter Greatly
Most of us can distinguish between right and wrong very clearly when it comes to big issues, such as the heinous crimes that appear in the newspaper every day. Thanks to the guiding grace of God, we literally wouldn’t be caught dead doing such deeds!
But it’s a different story when it comes to smaller issues. There, the temptation is to lull our consciences with poor excuses such as, “I would never rob a bank, so it’s no big deal that I occasionally shortchange my customers;” or, “I tell the truth when it matters, so what if I lie about my age a bit now and then?”
In the endless hammering of these small matters, you and I are slowly forging our characters, for better or for worse. The more we practice self-deception, the better we get at it. Soon, the small matters start looming larger: “It won’t hurt if I miss Church this week - I went the last two weeks.” “This isn’t adultery - I’m just enjoying some time with another person.” “It’s just a blob of tissue - I would never kill an actual person!”
The person who is trustworthy in small matters becomes trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in small matters becomes dishonest in great ones!
posted by FrPitstick | 11/10/2006
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