The Humility of the Unseen

Before the pandemic, I traveled often. One of the greatest graces within my life on the road was seeing how many beautiful, humble souls in this world do not perform any of their works to be seen.

I saw janitors in airports across America quietly emptying each trashcan in the terminals. I watched countless women push their housekeeping carts down hotel hallways. I witnessed women maintaining the sanctuaries of their churches, watering every plant on the altars on Saturday afternoons. I watched youth ministers manage every last retreat detail late into the night before retreat weekends kicked off with deep care for every teen who would attend. I spoke with a taxi driver at 5 o'clock in the morning who had picked up the extra job to make ends meet for his family.

We live in a culture that often trumpets the notion that the only thing that matters is the spotlight—which has made these people who do not have any concern about the spotlight the ones whose example can impact us uniquely and profoundly. They are the ones who know the depth of what Jesus teaches in today’s Gospel—they are the children of God who either knowingly or unknowingly live out the words of Christ, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).

Today, let us open our eyes and hearts to watch the people around us who live out this Scripture—in their work, or their vocation, in God’s specific call for their lives. By their example, they are teaching us. Are we paying attention?

By their example, they are teaching us. Are we paying attention? // @emwilssClick to tweet

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