Great results from small deeds

GREAT RESULTS FROM SMALL DEEDS
Mt 5:13–16

Jesus paid His disciples two sincere compliments: He called them “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.”  He was not flattering them; He truly believed this of ordinary people standing before Him.  Yet they may well have found such words overwhelming.  To be salt suggests preserving the world from corruption; to be light suggests leading others out of darkness.

But Jesus’ meaning becomes clearer when we look more closely. A small pinch of salt makes a real difference to food, and one candle can drive darkness from a room.  With both salt and light, great results come from small amounts.  That was Jesus’ point. Their task was not to illuminate the whole world, but to light the small corner of it where they lived.  Small, faithful actions could have great effect.

This principle runs through Jesus’ life and teaching.  Alongside the great events of His life, we remember simple moments: His friendship with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus; His conversation with the Samaritan woman; His delight in nature; His love for children. Much of His life was made up of ordinary things, lived with love.

So too His teaching: a cup of cold water, welcoming a child, kindness to the least, the widow’s two small coins.  Again and again, Jesus affirmed the saving power of small deeds.  He knew what we often forget, that the world receives most of its light from ordinary people doing ordinary things well.

We see this in our own lives.  What sustains us is not great events, but small acts of fidelity, friendship, and love.  These are the people we call “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.”  And we, too, are called to be that for others.

Lord Jesus, You were not exaggerating when You spoke those words.  We do not need to do anything spectacular. By handling ordinary things with love, we can bring great results from small deeds.                                    

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