DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

With a basin of water and a towel, Christ knelt before Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”                                       “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. – John 13:6-11

I think this is a defining moment in what it means to be a Christian, this conversation between Christ and he would continue with the work of Christ.  This back-and-forth speaks of moving from the place of being-in-control to the place where one places one’s life in the hands of the Lord.  This intimate interaction speaks of the abandoning of the hubris of false pride and the taking on of the humility of one who serves.  This give-and-take, this heart-to-heart, reveals where the true joy and peace of Christ is found … in the servanthood.

We live in times of blustery boasts.  We live in times of shameless self-centeredness.  We live in times when being the greatest is everything and than the being the humblest is a shameful cowardice.   We live in times when leaders are obsessed with controlling rather than serving.  We live in times when the assertion of self overwhelms being part of a whole community.

I do believe … now more than ever … that we find our true Christ-likeness in being the humble servant.  And isn’t that the message Christ whispered into the heart of Peter … when I am gone you will need to serve humbly.

Always in Christ’ Service,

Fr. Charitas de la Cruz