Making Jesus Proud (10/21/2025)

Sister Michael Anthony had a way of getting us youngsters to do the right thing, the nice thing, the thoughtful thing. She had a strategy for telling us when she caught us doing something kind for a classmate or even a younger student; she’d take us aside and say, “Jesus would be so proud of you for what you did.” And the thought that Jesus was watching and that what we did mattered to God, well, it was quite an incentive for future decisions.

These days, I find myself thinking often of Sister Michael Anthony and of her expression because so often I notice others doing something kind, something gracious, something loving. And I say to myself, “Jesus would be so proud of you for what you did.” And yesterday, as the tallest man in the world stopped and held the door for me and told me as I walked by, “Have a good day,” I answered, “thank you.” But then as I got into my car, I thought about Sr. Michael Anthony’s words and I wondered why I hadn’t told him he was making Jesus proud. Would he have understood? Something tells me he would.

There’s a lot not right in our world; but there’s a lot that is right, good, loving, kind, and faithful. I catch people doing extraordinary things all the time for love of the LORD and others. Just this weekend, I watched a group of women gather together and welcome newcomers in. Today, I spotted several people taking time to study scripture after a busy day and then stay to help clean up. I saw a younger man help an older man with a heavy bag at the grocery store. I heard a woman share with a friend about her special collection box in her home for Wounded Warriors. I saw a child at the park notice that another child was alone and wander over to fix that. I witnessed a woman holding another woman’s hand as she wept in her grief.

There’s a lot wrong in our world, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore the good. Perhaps what the world needs now is a group who will speak out and speak up and acknowledge when loving goodness is witnessed. Perhaps we need folks who will say to other folks when appropriate, “Jesus would be proud of you for what you did.” I don’t know…should we try?  

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.