The commercial below depicts the common problem of feeling overwhelmed by the all of the need we see around us. There is so much neediness, yet we don’t have sufficient resources to help in every effort or to donate to every worthy cause.
The commercial rightly concludes that we can address this feeling by doing. In other words, while we cannot do everything, we can surely do something. What that “something” is requires discernment. What are my gifts? What are the needs I am best positioned to help with? What is my state in life (married or single, parent with young children or empty-nester, wealthy or poor)? What is my natural demeanor (patient, energetic, organized, creative)?
I don’t have all of the gifts; you don’t have all of the gifts; but together we have all of the gifts.
Sometimes the sense of being overwhelmed is God’s way of tapping us on the shoulder and asking us, “What do you have?” “Five loaves and two fish, but what good is that?” (see John 6:9). Jesus simply says that we should bring them, bring what we have. Even little things can mean a lot; they can make a big difference. Lots of little things add up to a lot.
Cross-posted at the Catholic Standard: Doing Something Even Though Everything Is Needed
Thank you Msgr Charles
How we all need to be reminded to bring to God and His work, ‘What We Can’ – not ‘What We Can’t’ . . . . . . . .
I recall here one of my lifelong favourite Christmas Hymns, “In The Bleak Midwinter”, with lyrics by the incomparable Christina Rossetti, which in its last verse says this:
“What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: – give my heart.”
Yes! Let us all give our hearts back to God and then we can be sure His Holy Spirit will reveal to us what we ‘can do’ – be it ever so big – or ever so little! Whatever our resources.
God bless all . . . . .