An old friend died unexpectedly. He was a deacon in his church, but his work often went unnoticed by many in the congregation. He didn't routinely preach or assist at Sunday mass. Instead, he spent his time working quietly behind the scenes with the least in the Kingdom.

This compassionate man ministered to a group of people who are often overlooked by their churches, those with mental disabilities. He was eager to take on just about any task in the Special Religious Education program, but he was most gifted at developing one-on-one relationships with teenagers and adults, befriending them through the spiritual journey.

He may have been invisible to many in his congregation, but surely his work was noticed by God. I suspect that this man, who ministered to the least, is one of the great ones in the Kingdom of heaven today.