Little Things Done With Love

The 52nd Annual March for Life was a little over a month ago. Thousands gathered in the nation’s capital, proclaiming a message of life and love. The evening before the March, I had the joy of helping at LifeFest, a beautiful celebration of life in prayer and music at Eagle Bank Arena hosted by the Diocese of Arlington, the Sisters of Life, and the Knights of Columbus. I was given an immense responsibility as hundreds of people arrived: I was handing out stickers.

I was tasked with greeting people at the entrance and handing out programs. I specifically remember this one family coming in with several little ones, and I had the joy of giving the little kids stickers. What appeared to be an utterly insignificant moment of giving these small things, I found as a treasure. It is important to realize that Jesus does not often invite us to work awe-inspiring miracles, to move mountains with our faith, or to catch an enormous amount of fish. He asks us to do little things with great love.

Thousands of people were coming in the doors, and I had the joy of giving these little kids stickers, knowing that was exactly what Jesus wanted me to do. This is a moment in which a very hidden reality makes itself known. This is through no doing of our own, but simply by the grace of God. The reality of our Baptism; the day we became a beloved son or daughter of God, reveals itself when we act in love. From this identity, we can live as apostles, as strong followers of Jesus. This identity allows us to show the way with profound joy in our hearts; one hand opens the door, and the other points the way to Him.

A few hours later, the Eucharistic Procession began, and thousands kneeled and adored as our perfectly hidden Lord quietly went past. I could not help but think again, that this is the life of an apostle. An apostle who welcomes at the door provides a smile and then shows the way to the Divine Physician. There were dozens of us working: seminarians, sisters, Knights of Columbus, all simply welcoming people and helping them to their seats. Peter, James, and John knew this very well. Running about as thousands gathered around Jesus, these apostles realized they simply showed the way to Him. They allowed people the opportunity to see Jesus. Undoubtedly in the moment, it can be stressful. But the smile they receive from the person at the door is nothing in comparison to the one Jesus has when He sees them. So, keep an eye out the next time you are asked to hand out a sticker, you might end up moving a mountain because of His love which has transformed your heart.

Joseph Chester is a College II Seminarian for the Diocese of Arlington