Arranged by
In one of Murillo’s pictures in the Louvre, as described by a writer, one sees the interior of a convent kitchen; but doing the work there, are not mortals in old dresses, but beautiful white-winged angels. One serenely puts the kettle on the fire to boil, and one is lifting up a pail of water with heavenly grace, and one is at the dresser reaching up for plates, and there is a little cherub running about and getting in the way, trying to help. All are so busy, and working with such a will, and so refining is the work as they do it, that somehow your forget that pans are pans and pots are pots, and only think of the angels and how very natural and beautiful kitchen work is – just what the angels would do, of course, if called upon to do it.
The picture is very suggestive. It shows us, for one thing, the dignity of all duty, even of the humblest drudgery. The angels are not ashamed to be seen doing it. It is the motive and the aim that alone can consecrate anything we do, and the doing of God’s will is always splendid work, though it be but washing dishes or cleaning a street. “The smallest roadside pool has its water from heaven and its gleam from the sun, and can hold the stars in its bosom, as well as the great ocean.” So the humblest duty is a bit of God’s will, and shines with heavenly radiance. This ought to be an inspiration to those who live in lowly places and can do only common task work. Do it all well and as God’s will, and no great man’s brilliant deeds will shine more brightly than your little things in God’s sight.