Small Steps of God's Great Love

Beloved in Christ,

St. Thérèse of Lisieux was a nineteenth century French nun who lived a short and mostly quiet life. She died from tuberculosis at age 24, and wrote an influential memoir that outlines a spiritual approach known as “the little way.” The idea is that Jesus does not expect us to do great things, but rather every small thing with the greatest possible love. Jesus does not expect perfection from us, but simply that we allow him to love us in our imperfections and failings, that we in turn might love others in theirs. 

On Monday, the president delivered an inaugural address full of language about recent immigrants, transgender persons, and other vulnerable groups that was dehumanizing and scapegoating, and signed a number of executive orders targeting many of these same individuals with specific policies. While faithful Christians can disagree about any number of political matters, rhetoric and policies that threaten the dignity and inherent worth of any individual or group is an affront to, and inconsistent with, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

St. Therese offers a helpful path for us to walk when we face realities like the one we find ourselves in today. In the face of a moment that can feel overwhelming, the reality is that none of us can fix or save the nation or the world. But our smallness does not let us off the hook from bearing witness to Jesus’ little way of love, which can, has, and will indeed save the whole world. In fact, the church throughout history has been most vital and faithful when it has consisted of small communities practicing a loving resistance from and with the margins. It has been most corrupt when it longs to be big, and tries to cling to the centers of power. 

Yesterday, Bishop Mariann Budde bravely and beautifully modeled Therese’s little way in her sermon at the Washington National Cathedral. She told the truth with humility, and through the lens of love and compassion. Her posture and voice in that moment provide a great model for how followers of Jesus are called to stand in the face of every challenge we might face.

You cannot, and do not need to, do or fix it all. We can, and must, give all our love to every small thing that is in front of us. In the midst of a world full of those hungry for power projecting a false lordship, we proclaim as the true Lord the one who achieves victory, not through becoming one more strong and violent actor who rules by defeating their enemies, but who fearlessly meets the world’s madness with a humility and vulnerability that are deeply rooted in the unshakable power of love. In these and all days, we are called to take refuge in that power, to bear witness to that Lord, and to radiate that love through every fiber of our small, broken, and beloved selves. 

Grace and Peace,

The Right Rev. Craig Loya