“Do not withhold any goods when it is in your power to act.” (Proverbs 3:27)
So many things are not within our power. We are not likely to be able to cure cancer, eliminate hunger, or establish world peace. Even on a smaller scale, much is beyond our control. We can’t force feuding relatives to speak to each other. We can’t guarantee that our children will always make wise choices.
Since we can’t do everything, we are often tempted to give up and do nothing. But that’s not God’s way. Jesus invites us to put our modest lamp on a lamp stand. However much or little light it gives off, the world will still be a brighter place.
The writer of these proverbs knew how easy it is to procrastinate, to postpone responding to a request for help. There’s a reason that at Mass we ask God’s forgiveness not only for the evil we have done but also for the good we have failed to do.
God is inviting each of us to move out of our comfort zone and take a small step, to focus on what we can do rather than on what is impossible for us. We can’t cure leukemia, but we may be able to donate blood. We can’t eliminate hunger, but perhaps we can invite the beggar at the door to share a meal at our table. We can’t negotiate world peace, but we can work at understanding the convictions of someone from a different culture, a different religion, or even a different political persuasion.
Such acts of love and mercy are most effective when they are rooted in prayer. When someone appeals to us for help, we may say: “I can’t do any more than pray for you.” That may be true, but it is not insignificant. Prayer is in fact the greatest thing we can do for a needy person. It puts him in touch with an unlimited resource, the God who made the universe and who loves each of his children unconditionally. Who knows? As we set our minds to praying for this person, God may show us something else we can do to be part of the answer to that prayer.
“Father, sometimes the needs in the world overwhelm me. Show me what I can do today to reach out to one of your precious children.”
Psalm 15:2-5; Luke 8:16-18