Small Acts of Integrity and Goodness

This morning’s ‘Lectio 365’ devotional reading quotes the Filipina writer and social activist, Melba Maggay:

‘So this we believe: a kingdom of justice and righteousness has begun, and it’s making its way into people’s lives and denting structures that continue to oppress and dehumanise. Such work is seldom done in the corridors of power nor in the halls of the great. Often it is the many small acts of integrity and goodness that many faceless men and women do every day…’

A lot of attention is given to ‘corridors of power’ – in Russia and Ukraine, in Israel and Palestine, in forthcoming elections in UK and US. Dr Maggay says that the world is changed by the small acts of integrity and goodness…

Yesterday we attended Priscilla’s funeral. ‘Cilla was part of our church family; I sometimes play chess with her son Roy. About fifty of us met to remember and honour Cilla’s life. We shared prayers, familiar scriptures, a hymn, memories of Cilla’s life.

There was nothing famous or glamorous about ‘Cilla; she wasn’t powerful and great. However Cilla’s life was full of small acts of integrity and goodness for which she will be remembered.

Grace, from the Arts Council in London, visited us at the Seagull Theatre. We talked about our activities for local people living with dementia, specialist dance sessions for young adults with complex disabilities, mentoring and support for neuro-divergent musicians…

I thought of Helen, Thom, Cerys, Sian who lead these sessions. Nowhere near the corridors of power, but providing small acts of integrity and goodness that have a huge impact on local folks.

Peter Grieg, in this morning’s Lectio 365, linked Melba Maggay’s words with Jesus’ miracle… Andrew’s comment, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?’… a boy’s ‘one small act’

Today I’m seeking to focus on integrity and goodness… attentive to and appreciating the ‘one small act’ those around me… being proactive and intentional myself.