Real Love in Little Sacrifices

Today’s readings.

“Love your neighbor as yourself” can often times become a cliché; we cherish the sentiment while ignoring the substance of the what it demands. A Saint who reminds me that it’s doable is Thérèse of Lisieux.

In Story of a Soul, she admits she preferred certain sisters and felt quietly irritated by others. Yet instead of avoiding the ones who frustrated her, she chose closeness and generosity. 

She tells of being splashed with dirty water in the laundry room and resisting the impulse to correct or react, choosing instead to absorb the inconvenience with silent charity. Why? Because she saw in that moment an opportunity. She calls these kinds of occasions “little sacrifices.” No one else would notice them. No one would praise them. They were too small to be impressive. But precisely because they were small and hidden, she believed they were pure offerings of love. 

Her wisdom to us on how to“love your neighbor as yourself” includes this: just as you hope others will overlook your clumsiness or insensitivity, so you quietly absorb theirs.

Today’s Practice – Fasting:

In his Lenten message this year, Pope Leo XIV invited us to practice a very concrete fast: refraining from words that wound.

Today, fast from speaking negatively about anyone who is not present. No sarcasm, no subtle put-downs, no passing critiques disguised as humor. If correction is necessary, let it be direct and charitable; if it is not necessary, let it go.