In the U.S., Sister Jean and the Loyola University Chicago Ramblers were the all the buzz during the NCAA college basketball tournament that ended earlier this month.

At the end of the more than 50 games played during the tournament there were lots of post-game interviews with the stars of each game, some of whom made a clutch, off-balance shot at the buzzer to win the game. 

On live, national TV, the commentator would often thrust the microphone in front of a player and ask them to talk about the shot. Many student-athletes would compliment their coaches and say they had them well-prepared to take the shot; some would talk about their teammates and the trust they have for each other to take the potential game-winning shot; and, some would talk not about their coaches or their teammates but rather about themselves, and how they knew they were destined to take that shot. Then there were a few who would not talk about their coaches, their team or themselves, but would deflect all the honor and glory to God.

Maybe one of the most memorable examples of this was by National Football League quarterback Kurt Warner right after winning the Super Bowl. Before answering the TV commentator’s questions about the victory, he said, “First things first. I have to give praise and glory to my Lord and Savior up above. Thank You, Jesus.”

In today’s First Reading from Acts, we see how Peter responded to questions about the miracle he performed with the crippled man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple who could now walk.

Peter focused the attention of the assembled leaders and the elders not on the good deed he had done for the man, but rather that it was done in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean and that “there is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved." Powerful words indeed.

What do we do when someone singles us out and praises us for a job well done? Do we deflect the honor and recognition to our mentors, to our teammates at work? Do we take all the credit for ourselves, or do we give the praise and glory to our Lord and Savior?

The best course of action is the latter, to not let pride come between us and God. We need to humble ourselves and give the praise and glory to God. Besides being right, it helps reinforce his constant presence in our lives and that his guiding hand is always on our shoulder, and that the good we are trying to do each and every day in this world is not for our personal gain, but for the greater glory of his kingdom. 

Truth be told, we may just be the stones that were rejected by the builders; but, by our unselfish actions we can become the cornerstones of God’s church here on earth.