RIP, Miep Gies

"Imagine young people would grow up with the feeling that you have to be a hero to do your human duty. I am afraid nobody would ever help other people, because who is a hero? I was not. I was just an ordinary housewife and secretary."

Miep Gies hid Anne Frank and her family, and gathered Anne's diary together after the Nazis raided the secret annex where the Franks and other Jews were hiding, returning it to Anne's father - the only survivor of the family - after the war.

Her quote above should be looked at with last Sunday's Gospel reading in mine. Jesus did not have to be baptized by John the Baptist. Indeed, John protested, stating that he was not even fit to undo Jesus' sandals. But Jesus insisted in taking part of a common and human ritual. And look at the impact it made.

We can convince ourselves that we have nothing to offer because we are not "heroes." Mrs. Gies' statement reminds us to think simply on what is our everyday duty as a human being . . . and do it.