The bricklayer laid a brick on the bed of cement.

Then with a precise stroke of his trowel spread another layer

  and without a by-your-leave, laid on another brick.

The foundations grew visibly,

The building rose, tall and strong to shelter men.

I thought, Lord, of the brick buried

  in the darkness at the base of the big building.

No one sees it, but it accomplishes its task,

  and the other bricks need it.

Lord, what difference whether I am on the roof-top

  or in the foundations of your building,

  as long as I stand faithfully at the right place.

Michael Quoist, June 1918 – 1997, French Catholic priest and writer

_______________

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.