The little things we can do, are far more important

than the big things we cannot do

This is the first time that I have written a letter for the "Wiske Benefice” and indeed the first one I have written since I retired in 2000. I used to write a letter every month between 1967 and my retirement but then I was a parish priest and knew my audience very well. Being relevant was, therefore, no great problem even if sometimes I was a little controversial. I felt confident that I could avoid platitudes then so that will be my ambition now.

There are, at least, four matters of concern to many people at this present time: COVID-19 (Carona Virus), our exit from Europe and its possible effects on international relationships and our own economy, climate change and pollution. All these things are big issues for us all quite apart from our personal concerns, which for some people are a major worry.

With all of these matters and many more we may well feel powerless. We may think that there is nothing that we can do. That is not the case. Big decisions are not in our hands but, as one who has at least an armful of North Welsh blood in my veins, I would like to point you to St. David and his advice to his followers in a sermon on the Sunday before he died on 1st March, 601CE. “Lords, brothers and sisters, be joyful and keep your faith and your creed. Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about. As for me, I will walk the path that our fathers have trod before us. You do the little things in life.”

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The little things we can do are far more important than the big things we cannot do.

Perhaps this vital truth is only obvious in the context of the “The Faith” to which David was referring. That Faith is God’s gift to us through Jesus the Messiah, the one who came to release humanity from bondage to sin and death.

There are many little things to do, especially in the way of fulfilling the command of Jesus that we should “Love one another” in order that the world may believe in him. How admirable are those who spend their time showing loving care for others and helping them to find the freedom which truth, the gift of the Holy Spirit, brings to us. We may think of people like Mother Theresa but each of us can make a contribution if only we will take seriously and act upon the words of Jesus.

There are also bigger things we can achieve by doing little things together. This is why the fellowship of our brother and sister Christians is so important. Not least of these is victory over our own sinful nature. I would also add that, if we use the Internet, we can join thousands of people around the world in helping to oppose injustice and exploitation through organisations such as ‘Sum of Us’. Even the smallest act of kindness will bring great rewards and help us to develop into real human beings. So stop worrying and that will allow you to expend your energy on caring about others and thus contribute to the whole of our world community, including those wonderful creatures which are now disappearing so rapidly from our lives.

May you have a joyful and blessed Easter,

Derek Mills