Standing in line, waiting to be served, my eyes caught sight of the barista seeking to hand the receipt to his distracted customer. He ventured for her attention with both his hand and voice, but to no avail; the customer was in another world. I smiled at him, wanting to convey to him that we've all been there and his offer was at least noticed by someone. Ironically enough, the barista did not see my smile; my attempt to communicate something of life's light-heartedness futile, much like his own efforts. Smiling again - this time at myself! - I wondered if there was an echo here of how Jesus sometimes looks on those following in his footsteps. We make an attempt at something, perhaps something we have worked really hard for, but it falls on deaf ears and no one notices. It can be deflating. But Jesus always notices. Maybe Jesus takes our seemingly fruitless efforts and does something good yet hidden. Or perhaps Jesus simply stands behind us with a smile that says that our endeavours meant so much to him. What a thought.
Then the King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me' - Matthew 25:40