I was in the marching band in high school.
Every summer during band camp, the staff would select the daily winners of various superlatives. They were things like most spirited, most improved, best attitude, etc. There were silly ones and serious ones and as a freshman, I can remember wanting so badly to win one of those “awards” trying to stand out and do something amazing and special. Evening meetings came and went, prizes were distributed and classmates were chosen.
It seemed no matter what I did, it wasn’t bold enough or cool enough or great enough.
And then, near the end of the week, I was chosen for most spirited. It wasn’t because I dressed the silliest for the day’s theme (though my favorite color get-up did gather a few high fives) or because my roll step was superior to the other saxophones on the field. It was because at our trip to the movie theater when I dropped my soda on the ground, I got some napkins and wiped up what I could while the cashier fetched a mop.
To this day, I don’t find anything particularly impressive about those actions. But the acknowledgment they were given stays with me precisely because it was for things that weren’t impressive or flashy—or even that hard if I’m being honest.
Christ is constantly teaching us that the last will be first in the Gospels. We hear that message again today as the disciples argue over who among them is the greatest (Mark 9:34). May we always remember that it’s not the big shiny moments or bold acts of grandeur that move us toward a place in Heaven, but the unnoticed acts of service and love that unite us to the Heart of Jesus.
LOVING GOD, LOVING OTHERS
A NEW WORKSHOP
COME BACK TO FIRST LOVE
