"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea."

A visitor standing at the building site of St. Peter's Basilica, turned to a worker sweeping up the construction debris of the day and asked, "And what are you doing?" The sweeper replied, "Building a great temple for God."

There was brilliance somewhere in that community of workers. Some manager was smart enough to draw everyone from Michelangelo to the sweeper into the vision of their task.

Ministry is done amidst the grind of daily tasks. For sure, the "devil's in the detail." As much as we prefer bold vision and times of ministry success, we still have to roll out of bed in the morning, get to the office, school, church, or mission and go through what may seem to be drudgery.

Amidst this, how can we lift the eyes of our colleagues so that in building the great cathedral of God, they see their tasks as being more than sweepers?

May those with whom we work—be it in the business office or in custodial services—say when asked "What is your work," respond "I'm part of God's advance team in bringing in his kingdom."

Prayer—
Jesus Christ, Lord and King, help me—along with your disciples—"lift up my eyes" from the surrounding grunt work of ministry and vocation and see beyond to the kingdom that is now here and coming. May I be motivated today with this perspective, so that the joy of your kingdom come may resonate in every computer stroke, paper turned and word spoken. Amen.