Holy Week - Easter 2022Exemplo

As believers, it can be easy to assume the role of master and judge if we aren’t careful. Life gets busy, and our time is limited, so we look at the people and opportunities around us in the Church and begin to decide who or what is worthy of our service. But Jesus said, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

Jesus knew the immense weight of the cross He was about to carry; still, he chose to pause and serve the men looking for a promotion instead of recognizing what was about to happen. How often is this each of us? Wondering how we can get a step up on the ladder when Jesus set an example of bending down to serve at the most humble level available in His most vulnerable moments. With every right to be self-righteous, have self-pity, or remind the disciples how difficult his calling was, Jesus tied a towel around His waist, knelt, and began washing the feet of those who would doubt, betray, and deny Him.

We’ve all probably referred to this passage of scripture as a reason for serving those with great physical needs in their lives. And if we’re honest, it’s pretty easy to serve someone who has less than we do. But what about the people who betray you? Or disagree with you? Take credit for an idea that was yours? Get an invite to the dinner you were left out of? Jesus modeled a service that wasn’t about having the upper hand and dropping scraps from our feast down to those below us. He served men who were leading, scrambling for the seat of honor, struggling with questions and doubts, and so much more. This kind of service is about fixing our eyes on the Father, secure in the love He has for us and looking at those around us to see where we can help because we understand our purpose is His kingdom, not our own.

We are His Church, His idea, His plan. Serving each other is simply part of how we follow Jesus. If Jesus could serve other leaders, so can we. If Jesus could serve people who had doubts about His ministry, so can we. If Jesus could serve people who denied Him, so can we. He didn’t say to serve when someone has earned it; He said to serve as He had chosen to serve. Unity (or should I say “service”) begins when we have the humility to set our eyes on the Lord to see the Church around us as His kingdom and our place to serve.

REFLECTION

Is there a task that you feel is beneath you, or that is outside your job description, that you can do today to serve someone else in the faith?