Love in action

Podcast

• Listen to this homily

Scripture references

• Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
• 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
• John 13:1-15

Reflection

Last night at sunset, the Jewish people, our elder brothers in faith, began the observance of Passover.  Families gathered around tables to begin the ritual observance of thanksgiving to God for his goodness to all people.  During the celebration of the Passover, there is also special attention paid to those who suffer persecution, and prayers are offered for all those who need to know God’s forgiveness and healing.

As the sun sets on this Holy Thursday night, we gather to begin the observance of the Easter Triduum.  Around the Lord’s table, we His children gather to partake in a very special meal.  The book of Exodus, from which we read tonight, tells the story of God’s concern for his people, making sure that we have food for the journey we are about to embark upon (Ex 1-14), This meal has been transformed for us by Jesus himself who broke bread with his disciples and asked them to repeat this meal as a memorial of his love (cf 1 Cor 11:23-26).

Some of us love to eat, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but when Jesus feeds us, he also gives us a mission: he asks us to be people of humble service.  Doing good for others is a noble thing, but it has another dimension altogether when, like Blessed Theresa of Calcutta, we choose to see Christ himself in the people who we serve.

Throughout his life on earth, many people found themselves at Jesus’ feet.  Countless sick threw themselves at his feet, and he healed their infirmity.  An untold number of sinners, who had been shunned by society came to him and begged for mercy, and he always welcomed them, forgave them and restored them to wholeness.  Mary sat at his feet when he came to visit in her home, listening intently as he recounted stories about his travels, and about the Kingdom that is to come.  This word of life is retold for us each time we too come to sit at the Master’s feet.  In the end, Jesus feet, which had travelled untold miles through dusty roads, which had borne him to so many bedsides, through so many crowds, and to so many towns and villages, were nailed to a cross, sealing the covenant of salvation between God and His people.

In an act of humility and a gesture of service, Jesus not only shared the gift of his body and blood with his disciples, he also showed them how to be of service to one another.  On that final night he spent on earth, he removed his outer garment and washed the feet of his disciples (Jn 13:4-15), in order to teach them that freedom and new life come not from exalted positions of power and responsibility, but from walking each day with the lowly and the poor.  The message of salvation is proclaimed when we find ways to be of service to others, washing their feet and allowing our own feet to be washed as together we walk the road that will one day lead us back to the Father.

Tonight, we have invited eleven of our parishioners to sit before you.  I will begin by washing the feet of one of them, and then that person will in turn wash the feet of another parishioner.  It’s important that while this ritual is taking place, each of us takes the time to understand that this is not just some ritual that is repeated on Holy Thursday night, just for the sake of something to do.  Washing one another’s feet is something that we are all called to do.  In what concrete ways am I being called to take my faith beyond these walls?  Are there opportunities that I have neglected to be of service to Christ in my brothers and sisters?  How can I put my faith into action, and make a difference in someone’s life?