I think He would like you to pay more attention to little things, looking on nothing as small, if connected with His service and worship. Also try to remember that nothing is too small to offer to Him — that is, the tiniest act of self-conquest is of immense value in His eyes, and even lifting one’s eyes as an act of love brings great grace.

COMMENT: Despite the fact that Fr Doyle lived a very dramatic life composed of big sacrifices, he strongly advocated the fact that holiness is normally to be found in little things. In fact, without having strived for holiness in little things, it is doubtful that he would have been capable of his heroism in the trenches.

At first glance, this quote may seem a strange choice for Spy Wednesday. But today’s Gospel contains a subtle reference to the value of little sacrifices and offerings. Given the drama of the Passion, it is easy to miss this point.

Go ye into the city to a certain man and say to him: The master says, My time is near at hand. With thee I make the pasch with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus appointed to them: and they prepared the pasch.

Who was this “certain man”? We do not know. He is not named. But what is clear is that he did an important service for our Lord by providing the room for the Last Supper. What an honour it would be to provide a room for Jesus in this way. This unknown man, humble and hidden, served Jesus well in this little way.

As Fr Doyle tells us, nothing is too small to offer to Him.