We live in a merciless age.
Gone are the days of the uncalculating kind word, the politely doffed hat, and the deferential door-opening. No longer is it customary for the young to offer their bus seat to an elder, for the rushing commuter to allow someone to merge, or for the unconsciously offered “please” and timely penned thank-you note. When any of this does happen, it is the exception and not the rule. Flatly counter-cultural instead of cultural.
When considering all the post-resurrection actions of Christ, we naturally tend to focus on what we may call “major events” such as granting the Apostles the authority to forgive sins (Jn 20:23), celebrating the Eucharist with the disciples who were on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24:30), or commissioning the Church to preach the gospel to all nations (Mt 28:19).