Do little acts of love matter?

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

A reflection on the daily readings, for Tuesday of Holy Week, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

Some powerful phrases stand out in these scriptures —

“Servant.”

“Light to the nations.”

“Salvation.”

“Betray me.”

“Satan entered him. … Do quickly.“

“Lay down my life for you.

“Deny me … three times.”

As these words wash over us, we are definitely dipping our toes into deep waters. The story is coming together awfully — and not in a good way.

One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side./
So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant.

It stuns to look at the disciples seated at table with Jesus. Words get spoken. We get it. The story gets explained. We get it. But no matter what the hints, no matter the explanations given, the disciples sit in their own darkness.

Oh, a conversation goes on between Jesus and the disciples, but they just don’t seem to understand. But we get it. And even though all ends well on Easter Sunday, oh the pain and sadness we will all face this Holy Week.

But flipping back to Isaiah, we hear God say to the Suffering Servant —

“It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant,
to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the survivors of Israel;
I will make you a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

Will we allow his light to fill us, too? Do our little acts of love really matter?

And are we willing to say yes?