Taking Stock of Small Things

Web Posted: October 11, 2004

The words of St. Ignatius in the First Principle and Foundation speak to my belief that we can grow deeper in our faith through the everyday experiences of life…including the smallest and most insignificant of moments. God calls us to understand that we praise, revere and serve Him by being mindful of the divine presence in all that we do. In St. Luke, Jesus told us to “be compassionate, as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you shall not be condemned. Pardon and you shall be pardoned. Give and it shall and it shall be given to you.”

When I can put my personal aspirations, desires and my emotions aside and concentrate on “doing good in the world,” even in the most simple of ways—I profoundly experience my faith and connection to God. I try to be mindful that when I take a few minutes with a student who has a problem or show some kindness to an elderly person on the street or work at controlling my temper when someone angers me that the Spirit is helping me serve God. Particularly when I reach out to the poor and disadvantaged, I know that I have touched the Holy. In my daily prayer, I reflect on my deepened appreciation of a spiritual presence in my life by remembering how someone has compassionately reached out to me or I have been able to do some good for someone else. God shows me his face in human relationships and gives me endless opportunities to better serve through those contacts. My challenge is to live in the moment and remain diligently attentive to that call.

— Ms. Janine Geske