psalm 66 - a horse for a kingdom - 19th week wednesday

Here is a well-known very short poem you have probably heard a thousand times:

For want of a nail the shoe was lost,
For want of a shoe the horse was lost,
For want of a horse the rider was lost,
For want of a rider the battle was lost,
For want of a battle the Kingdom was lost,
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

This poem supposedly refers to the death of King Richard III during his defeat in the Battle of Bosworth Field.  Shakespeare would immortalize this battle when he had King Richard say – “A Horse! A Horse! My Kingdom for a horse!”

Not everything in Psalm 66 is read in our responsorial psalm but in the psalm we are made to realize that even a small act done by an individual in a particular event can have an impact in world history.  Negatively in the case of King Richard III it was a horseshoe nail that caused a kingdom to fall. Positively in the case of the psalmist it was an evil inclination he avoided which then caused his prayers to be heard and answered, to the big and little miracles the Lord has done for him.

The same can also happen to us.  Never underestimate the power of what we may deem as minor or the trivial. Gamay man lang na tuod nga butang but it can have wider and deeper implication good or bad.  Gamay nga butig, gamay man lang nga bugal nga daw indi ka gid magpatudlo, gamay man lang na nga butang medyas man lang na, sapatos man lang na, pero indi ka magpa-correct.

In the same vein, it can be a small act of kindness, a small gesture of care – may ginpahulam ako anay nga seminarist kay kulang gid, gamay man lang pero asta subong bisan ara na sia sa iban nga pungsod i-treat ya gid ako kay matyag niya may dakudaku gid sia nga utang.

Remember not all that have implications in our ohana are only the big events and the big happenings.  Even a small neglect, even a small act of kindness can affect a lot.  Remember a horseshoe nail for a kingdom.