Called to Serve

Part of my private reflection time is re-reading materials that may inspire me again. As I looked through prayer services, I was once again struck with one used in our small language group the other day.

The Gospel reading from John which tells the story of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet was the inspiration for the title, “The Call to Serve.” We all know the story well as it is part of the Christian Lenten week services. Jesus explains to the disciples who are not clear about this action of his to help them see what the action of washing their feet symbolizes for them, by saying, “For if I have set you an example, it is that you should also do as I have done to you.”

A Reading was part of the service and was written by Andy Alexander of Creighton University Online Ministries. I attempted to use my own words, but realized I could not respond better to the Gospel reading than he. Here are his words . . .

“The washing of feet teaches several things. It is not easy to have our feet washed. They smell. They are not very attractive. It is a part of our bodies that we rarely let others touch or caress. And, it is not easy to wash the feet of another. This is all a powerful drama representing the power of love. It is not easy for me to let me love you. . . When you put me off or when you are not at your best, I don’t do so well at loving.

Jesus loves us unconditionally, that is without condition. He loves us, not because we deserve it. He loves us because he knows we need loving. He tells us to love the same way. In the washing of the feet, we are given his…self-sacrificing example of how to love each other. ‘This much,’ he says, ‘Love one another this completely, this freely, loving the most unattractive parts of each other, where love is needed most’.”

One reflection question was, “Whose feet is God calling me to wash?”Immediately my thoughts went to the boys entrusted to our care in St. Gabriel’s System and personally to the boys I encounter daily at De La Salle In Towne. They are the unloved. They are the ones who must see us as role models for loving unconditionally regardless of how “smelly” we may become or not at our best. Sometimes it is easier to see the “unattractive parts” of our boys-the verbal aggression and hurtful words, the anger expressed when we are required to correct their behaviors, than see in them the face of God. Loving them needs to emanate from us, because this is where love is needed most!

from Pam Walker