If you are a 90’s child, you probably remember growing up with Veggie Tales. One of my favorite episodes was “Dave and the Giant Pickle.” It tells the Bible story of David and Goliath—and you can’t help but love the fact that Dave is a little stalk of broccoli fighting a giant pickle.
To refresh your memory on this Biblical story, David is a shepherd boy who was left to tend sheep while his seven older brothers went off to war to fight the Philistines. One morning, David’s dad asked him to deliver items to his brothers at the army camp. Upon arrival, David found everyone scared to fight a giant Philistine named Goliath. David approached the King to ask if he could fight Goliath, but King Saul said David was too small. David persisted, however, and King Saul eventually obliged. Little David marched forward to fight Goliath—yielding only a staff, rocks, and a slingshot, sans protective armor. The giant Goliath made fun of David’s size—but David told Goliath he was armed with the Almighty God who would deliver Goliath into his hands that day. And sure enough, with only a slingshot and rocks, David killed Goliath and conquered the Philistines.
I think the reason I enjoy this story so much is because it reminds me of being small, but mighty. Little David accomplished what seemed to be impossible because God was with him. This gives me hope that even in moments when I feel small or unequipped, God is already one step ahead of me to help me conquer the task.
In light of celebrating the saints this month, I want to introduce you to a few of my favorites who inspire me to rely on the mighty name of the Lord instead of worrying over my inadequacies.
Maria Goretti: Forgiveness & Mercy
St. Maria Goretti was born to a poor Italian farming family and never learned to read or write. When she was only 12 years old, her neighbor Alessandro tried to have his way with her, but Maria refused his advances. Alessandro then proceeded to attack her—stabbing her repeatedly with a dagger. She died 24 hours later in the hospital. However, before her death, Maria offered forgiveness to her murderer and later visited him in a dream while he was in prison, telling him that she truly forgave him. This caused Alessandro to repent and convert—he even attended her canonization!
This little girl was small, but her acts of faith, love, and forgiveness were nothing short of mighty! Her story has inspired thousands over the years. She can teach us about forgiveness and mercy. Is there someone in your life you’re holding a grudge against? Someone you think doesn’t deserve forgiveness? Ask St. Maria Goretti to pray for you to help you have the courage to forgive like she did!
Pier Giorgio Frassati: Ordinary, But Extraordinary
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati may not have been small in stature, but his small acts of great love impacted countless people. Born to an influential Italian family, Pier didn’t let his family’s worldly prestige sway his desire for holiness. He gave the money or items he had to the poor in the streets without his family knowing.
Pier was an avid outdoorsman and loved climbing mountains—often seeing these adventures as opportunities to evangelize his companions by bringing a priest along to celebrate Mass or by talking to them about God. One of my favorite stories about Pier Giorgio involves a game of pool he played with some friends. Prior to the game, Pier posed a challenge: If he won, they must all go to Adoration with him. One after another, each of them lost and went to adore the Lord with Pier Giorgio.
He was just an ordinary guy, with an extraordinary heart for the Lord. And because of this, Pier Giorgio Frassati was able to complete small but mighty work for God’s kingdom! In fact, when he died, the streets of his city were lined with thousands of mourners whom his family did not know, but who were impacted by Pier’s everyday holiness.
Jose Sanchez Del Rio: Joy in Trials
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio was only 12 when the Cristero Wars broke out in Mexico. The Mexican government was trying to demolish the Catholic Church’s influence in the country by outlawing the faith and killing Catholics. Little Jose joined the Cristeros—a group attempting to save the faith—but was captured during a battle.
The soldiers who captured Jose gave him many opportunities to live—if only he would renounce his faith. Little Jose refused. The soldiers then cut off the bottoms of his feet and made him march through town to the place of his death. Along the way, St. Jose prayed the Rosary aloud, sang songs of praise, prayed for his enemies, and shouted, “Viva Cristo Rey y Santa Maria de Guadalupe!” (Long live Christ the King and Our Lady of Guadalupe!) Once he arrived at his grave, the soldiers ended his 14-year-old life by gunfire.
We may not be living in the same conditions in which St. Jose lived, but we can learn a lot from this small boy who had a mighty faith. He shows us how to be brave in the midst of persecution and how to have joy in the Lord while enduring immense suffering.
Small But Mighty Differences
Maria, Pier Giorgio, and Jose are just a few examples of saints who weren’t anything special, but used the opportunities presented them to stand up for virtue. These small but mighty Saints, along with the thousands of others already in Heaven, teach us to never fear our inadequacies—for God equips each of us with the graces necessary for every challenge we face in life. The saints didn’t have it easy. They didn’t have superpowers. They were human, filled with their own doubts, fears, and shortcomings. But their immense love for the Lord and deep desire for heaven inspired them to rise up and be mighty.
Aren’t we all called to do the same? Let’s be Saints, my friends!
All my love,
