Episode 2551: The Power of Small Acts - Morning Episode

The Power of Small Acts: Lifting Hearts and Renewing Souls through Prayer and Love
Welcome to today’s episode, where we’ll explore how small acts of kindness, simple prayers, and a heart open to God’s will can bring life to our souls and to those around us. Sometimes, in our fast-paced world, we forget the immense value of a word, a smile, or a prayer. But as St. Thérèse of Lisieux (lee-z-yah), the Little Flower, reminds us, “A word or a smile is often enough to put fresh life in a despondent soul.” It’s often through these seemingly small gestures that we reveal the love of Christ to others.
We'll also reflect on another beautiful insight from St. Thérèse about prayer, where she teaches us that prayer doesn’t need to be complicated. In her simplicity, she teaches us that even the humblest prayers—like an Our Father or a Hail Mary—have the power to lift our hearts and souls to God. And finally, we’ll draw inspiration from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, where we are called to offer our lives as a living sacrifice, to be renewed in mind and heart, and to discern the will of God in all that we do.

Let’s take this time together to meditate on the beauty of small acts of love and prayer and how they can transform both ourselves and the world around us.
Let’s begin with the wisdom of St. Thérèse of Lisieux:
"A word or a smile is often enough to put fresh life in a despondent soul."
St. Thérèse, known for her “Little Way,” understood that holiness doesn’t always come through grand gestures but through the little things we do with great love. A simple word, a smile, or a kind gesture can lift the spirits of someone who is feeling down or despondent. In today’s world, where loneliness and despair seem more prevalent than ever, how powerful it is to know that we can make a difference in someone’s life just by being present, by offering a kind word, or even just a smile. These small acts of love are a reflection of Christ’s love for us gentle, compassionate, and full of mercy.
St. Thérèse’s example is one we can all follow. Often, we think we need to do something extraordinary to make an impact, but it’s the small, everyday acts of charity that often mean the most. Jesus Himself tells us in the Gospel of Matthew, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Every time we offer a smile, a kind word, or a small act of love, we are, in fact, loving Christ Himself.
This brings us to another of St. Thérèse’s reflections on prayer. She said:
"Prayer, for me, is simply a raising of the heart, a simple glance towards Heaven, an expression of love and gratitude in the midst of trial, as well as in times of joy."
How beautiful and simple is this description of prayer! St. Thérèse teaches us that prayer doesn’t have to be elaborate or filled with lofty words. It can be as simple as lifting our hearts to God, glancing towards Heaven, and offering our love and gratitude to Him. In times of joy and in times of trial, prayer is our way of connecting with God, of offering our hearts to Him.
When we feel dry or incapable of deep prayer, St. Thérèse encourages us to turn to the simplest of prayers an Our Father or a Hail Mary and to pray them slowly, with love and attention. These prayers are powerful because they nourish our souls with divine grace, even when we don’t feel it. They remind us that prayer is not about how we feel, but about offering ourselves to God in humility and trust, allowing Him to fill our hearts with His love.
This leads us to the final reflection from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans:
"I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship."
(Romans 12:1)
St. Paul’s words remind us that our entire lives our thoughts, actions, and even our bodies are to be offered to God as a living sacrifice. This means that everything we do, even the smallest tasks, can be an act of worship when done with the right intention. Whether it’s a kind word, a smile, or a prayer, we can offer all of these as sacrifices of love, holy and pleasing to God.
But to live this way, we need a transformation of mind and heart. St. Paul urges us not to conform to the ways of this world, but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds, so that we may discern God’s will. This renewal happens through prayer, through frequent reception of the sacraments, and through the little acts of love and sacrifice that we offer each day. By uniting ourselves to Christ, we are transformed, and we come to know and love God’s will for our lives.
Practical Application:
Practice the “Little Way” of Love:
Throughout your day, be mindful of the small opportunities to offer kindness to others. Whether it’s through a smile, a word of encouragement, or a simple act of charity, remember that these small acts can bring fresh life to a soul in need.
Embrace Simple Prayer:
When you feel overwhelmed, tired, or spiritually dry, take a moment to pray an Our Father or a Hail Mary slowly and with intention. Let these simple prayers nourish your soul and draw you closer to God, even in the midst of trials.
Offer Your Life as a Living Sacrifice:
Reflect on how you can offer your daily actions to God as a living sacrifice. Whether you’re working, caring for others, or spending time in prayer, unite your actions to Christ and offer them for His glory.

Conclusion:
As we reflect on the wisdom of St. Thérèse and St. Paul, we are reminded of the power of small acts of love and the simplicity of prayer. Through a kind word, a smile, or a prayer, we can bring life to the souls around us, and through these little acts, we offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.
Let us strive each day to live out the “Little Way” of love, to lift our hearts to God in prayer, and to be transformed by the renewal of our minds, so that we may discern God’s perfect will for our lives.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and her “Little Way” of love. Grant us the grace to follow her example, offering small acts of kindness and simple prayers to lift the hearts of those around us. Help us to offer our lives as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to You, and to seek Your will in all that we do. Renew our minds and hearts, that we may be transformed by Your grace and come to know Your perfect plan for our lives.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Thank you for joining us today. May you continue to grow in love and holiness, following the example of St. Thérèse, and may God bless you abundantly. Until next time, God bless!