It's the Little Things That Count

Homily for Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Have you ever heard the statement, “It’s the little things that count”? Today’s passage from the Letter to the Hebrews is completely based on one such little thing.

In the Book of Genesis, chapter fourteen, verses eighteen through twenty, we read: “Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. He was a priest of God Most High. He blessed Abram with these words: ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, the creator of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who delivered your foes into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”

These three short verses comprise all that we know about this character called Melchizedek. He was a king and priest who ruled in Jerusalem or Salem. As Abram and his army were passing the city, Melchizedek went out and offered them bread and wine. This simple action was followed by a blessing. Abram reciprocated by giving him a tenth of everything that he had won in a battle with his enemies. We are told nothing else about this man nor are we told why he did what he did. To be sure, this is an example of the fact that it is the little things that count because from that short interchange with Abram, Melchizedek has been remembered for more than four thousand years.

The letter to the Hebrews uses Melchizedek as a type for Jesus. He offers sustenance to Abram and his army, just as Jesus offers us sustenance through the bread and wine which has been changed into his body and blood. He blesses Abram and praises God in that blessing. Jesus also blesses us and teaches us how to praise Our Father.

Even though most of us are limited in what we can do for others because of age and infirmity, it is important to remember that it is the little things that count. We have been taught that through our baptism we share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ. The Second Vatican Council refers to it as the priesthood of the laity. Every baptized person is capable of blessing objects and people outside of the liturgy where blessings can only be offered by the presiding priest. Parents can bless their children, grandparents can bless their grandchildren, brothers and sisters can bless their siblings, and friends can bless their friends,. Remember the words of Melchizedek who simply said, “Blessed be Abram by God most high.” Remember them and use them frequently. Simply substitute the name of any other person and you have a beautiful way to bless others. The same formula can be used for physical things, as in “Blessed be this water by God most high.”

Truly, it is the little things that count.