Bounce

I had the privilege of returning to Rome for the “Eternal City Tip-Off” basketball game between Villanova and Notre Dame. With allegiances to both, I eventually placed my bets on the Fighting Irish, who won. With a Villanovan wife, I still ultimately lost.

However, the day before the game, all the fans were able to be in the presence of the Holy Father for an audience in which both teams presented him with some gifts, including a basketball he signed for each. Before he signed the first ball, the Holy Father did something that caught the attention of not only those of us in the hall, but also the entire world—he bounced the ball.

One dribble blew up the internet. One subtle, unscripted moment created a connection for countless people with the largest faith community on earth. As I scrolled through my feeds of the repeated clip and fielded texts about whether it was really true that the Pope took a shot, I couldn’t help but be reminded of an important but often forgotten lesson of leadership that happens and is noticed most in the smallest moments.

How often in life, leadership, and faith do I obsess over what I think is important and miss the opportunity to offer intentional witness in the least structured parts of my day? What bridges am I building in the casual conversations, brief check-ins, or quiet moments that will enable deeper relationships in the future? While the internet wouldn’t blow up if I dribbled a basketball, what other actions can I take while others watch that might break or strengthen my ability to give witness to the Gospel Message?

As we begin this next week, let’s be sure that we don’t dribble through our days without remembering that others may be watching, and Who we want them to see in the big, and especially small, moments.