When Love Outranks Rank

Over the past few days, I’ve witnessed something so poignant that I feel compelled to report it. Sit in class with a friend—a brother—and enjoy serving him in every way. For most, serving someone on the same level as oneself, or even someone one considers “below” oneself, is difficult unless driven by strong personal beliefs. But what I witnessed went beyond this: an egalitarian defiance of hierarchy, made beautiful by love.
It was like the military, where it is all about rank. When one of the junior ones is made Chief of Defense Staff, the seniors have to retire. The setup cannot accommodate a senior taking orders from a junior. But among these brothers—some of them ordained priests, the rest still deacons in the Catholic Church—that strict procedure is not applicable.
There is no friction. Only fraternity.
From the photographs I had seen, their relationship was clear. The smile, the reverence in their eyes, the joy radiating from their face—these were not classmates. They were buddies with one another in service, not rank. Although some progressed in their ranks, there was no envy or separation. Only thankfulness for all stages of life, and the beauty within.
This type of love-tinged humility is rare. And breathtaking.