Why do we always seek to occupy the highest places, or seek “the place of honor” (Lk. 14:8) at a banquet? Perhaps we simply wish for recognition. Or perhaps we wish to have greater influence over the world, and truly make a difference. Yet while much good may be done in these great seats of honor (and Jesus never forbids us from holding these seats), we are too often tempted by them to the point where we ignore the Lord’s work in humble places.
Alphonsus Rodriguez was a Jesuit brother who spent his whole life in a humble place. He was the porter (essentially, the receptionist) at the Jesuit high school in Majorca, Spain. He greeted and gave spiritual counsel to hundreds of people in the many years he occupied this humble post; he even advised St. Peter Claver to go to the missions in South America. Had Rodriguez not been content as porter, many souls (including the thousands helped by Claver) would have been the poorer for his decision. Always ask first what work Christ needs done in the humble places—if He needs to raise you to a higher place, He will do so.