In The Little Things

Three major characteristics of Marist Spirituality are Presence, Devotion to Mary and Simplicity. All three are tied closely together, for attentiveness to the Presence of God not only in the grandeur of creation or of his loving friendship, but in the little things that pop up each day, reminds us of Mary's pondering of the events in her life, of the little things, and of her straightforwardness, her genuineness, her simplicity: "How shall this be, for I do not know man?" (Lk 1: 34). "They have no wine" (Jn 2:4). "Do whatever he tells you" (Jn 2: 5). To be that open, that simple, that in tune with God! It is not WE who are in charge, but the One who causes us amazement in his attentiveness to us, our needs, our "education" in his ways and to the fullness of our potential. If we, like Mary, can keep it simple, we can see God in the little things that happen today: the person who comments on the beautiful day, who asks us how we are, who opens or holds a door for us, or who calls to thank us for something we had routinely done. Our days are brim over with little things. God is right there in them, all the time. We simply need to recognize him.
Bro. Rene