Of the Great Blessings That Follow Upon Observance of Rules, and Setting Much Store by Them, Even in Small Things

WELL done, good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things: enter into the joy of thy Lord (Mait. xxv. 23). In these words of Christ our Redeemer there are well set before us the great blessings that follow from being careful in keeping the rules and setting great store by them, though it be in little and minute things. So passing great shall be the joy and reward that shall be given us for having been faithful and diligent in a small matter, that it is not said the joy shall enter into you, because you will not be able to contain it; but you are to enter into the joy, and it will be over your head, as when you enter a large room that is high over your head. And elsewhere He says that the measure of reward and giory that is to be given us for this shall not be scanty or cut down, but heaped up and overflowing. Good measure, and pressed down, and overflowing, shall they give unto your bosom (Luke vi. 38).

But let us see what can be the reason why the Lord rewards so highly those who are faithful in a little matter. The reason is because a man’s fidelity is seen in these small things, and what he is likely to do when greater things are put into his hands. So says Our Lord Himself by St. Luke (xvi. 10): He that is faithful in what is little will be faithful also in what is great. It is to be observed that He does not say, he that is faithful in what is great will be faithful also in what is little, but the other way about, because fidelity is better seen in little things than in things of great importance. For example, the fidelity of a steward or accountant is not so much seen in the fact that he does not defraud his employer to the extent of a hundred or a thousand guineas, as that he does not even misappropriate one farthing. Likewise, the good servant is known not so much by his discharge of his main duties, as by his accomplishment of small and minute details of things which he was not obliged to do. Likewise the obedience and love of a son for his father is not seen in the fact that he obeys his father in matters of great importance, but that he will not displease his father by going against his will even in the slightest thing. In like manner, the good religious is not so much known by his not falling into grave faults and mortal sins, as by his being careful and diligent in observing all the rules and in carrying out the least command of the superior. It is this that our Lord rewards and honors so highly, showering down great benefits and graces, because they are liberal with him. For, as St. James says: Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you (James iv. 8). Indeed, the closer you shall draw to God and the more liberal you shall show yourselves towards Him, by so much the more will He show Himself more liberal towards you, showering down greater graces and favors upon you. He that shall press forward with great diligence and care, striving to please God not merely in those things which are of obligation, but also in the counsels and works of supererogation; and not only in things which are of great importance, but also in the least, striving to do always that which seems to be most perfect and which he understands to be most in conformity with the will of God, he is truly liberal with God, and to such a one God will indeed be most liberal.

These are they that are privileged, that earn His blessing and special favors, that signalize themselves above others in virtue and perfection: so we see by experience. Some of these we have known, highly endowed with spiritual and divine gifts. Of others we have heard tell that, though they were of high seniority in religion, they made great account of observance and exactitude in every, even the least, rule and every prescription of obedience, however minute and small. They were an example, and put all to the blush; and it was by this way our Lord raised them up to such heights of perfection. Even in the world we see that those who serve their masters in this way, seeking to please them in all that they are able to do, in things both great and small, ordinary and extraordinary, these are they that gain the good will and favor of their masters. Now in the house of God it is exactly the same; for those who become like little children, who humble themselves, taking a real pride in the observance of the most trifling things that make up religious life, God embraces, caresses, and shows them many favors. Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is. the kingdom of heaven (Matt. xix. 14). But as for those that esteem themselves greater than others, and go about seeking privileges; who, because of their seniority in religion, no longer make account of small things, thinking them only suited for novices, God will humble and cast them off, according to those words of the Royal Psalmist: If I was not humble-minded, but lifted up my heart, then let that befall me in retribution which befalls a child new-weaned from its mother (Psalm cxxx. 2). That is to say, if I shall rank myself with the great, may that happen to me, O Lord, which happens to the weaned child. A mother refuses her breast to the child that has grown into quite a big boy, but takes the little baby in her arms and suckles it. If, then, I will not humble myself and become like a little child, drive me away, O Lord, and let me not come near Thee, as the mother drives away and keeps from her the child that she has weaned. Mothers, when they are weaning a child, rub their breasts with aloes, so that where before the child found delight and sweetness, it now finds bitterness. This curse David invokes on himself, and it overtakes those who lift themselves up to be great folk and disdain to become like little children. Hence, where before they found joy and sweetness in prayer and other spiritual exercises, they now find bitterness, for everything is turned into aloes.

St. Jerome says: “He that desires to give himself in good earnest to God and greatly to please Him is careful over greater and over lesser things, knowing that for every idle word he shall have to give an account to God.” He knows that from smaller, one falls little by little into greater, faults; and he is certain that, if he is faithful in small things, God will reward and recompense him by many favors. He, therefore, thinks nothing small, but sets great value on everything. St. Basil, speaking of this, says: “Strive in such a way to set your eyes on greater virtues as not to lose sight of the lesser; and think no fault little, since there is no enemy that, if despised, may not be very hurtful to us and be able to do much harm”—Studeto, ut maiorum virtutum compos efficiare neque minores tamen neglegito. Nullum omnino sit erratum, quod parvi pendas, quamvis illud tenuissima bestiola minutius sit.