“…And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple… he will surely not lose his reward.” (Mt 10:42)
The last sentence of the gospel is beautiful. Just giving a cup of cold water to one of the little ones is enough to be given one’s reward. It assures all of us that we can receive our reward. Not great learnings, not sensational achievements, not heroic acts nor high positions are needed to be Jesus’ disciple. Only the ordinary daily acts of caring for the little ones, whether these be the weak in faith and love, the poor or underserving our attention are needed. Nobody is too small at the receiving end; nothing is too small at the giving end.
Jesus’ words give hope to all of us who have so little to offer, for we can all receive our reward. It is something we can do in our everyday lives. The small things that we do every day done with much love makes it big before God’s eyes. People’s happiness does not usually depend on unusual happenings or extraordinary feats but on the daily exchange of little acts of kindness and generosity with the people near us. If we do so, our baptism will not create enemies but people who also accept Jesus’ word with joy
