In our Paschal Journey, 1) like Moses, we have encountered a mystery and a power that is far greater than ourselves; and, 2) and have asked that Higher Power to transform our hearts from stone into flesh.
In the Passion account of John, Jesus teaches us the next step of getting down on our knees and washing the feet of others. St Francis of Assisi marveled at this great act of humility modeled by Jesus. Francis observed that the One through whom all life was created (see Prologue of John’s Gospel), gets down on his knees and washes the feet of those he had created.
Joined to the Paschal Mystery of Jesus, our next step is that of humility. We all must either literally or figuratively learn to get down on our knees and wash the feet of those most in need. Jesus teaches us that this is something we all must do. It is in our ministering to others that we discover our common bond as human beings. All the facades we build around ourselves fall down. The false self in which we like to clothe ourselves gets stripped away.
In ministry, I have found, like many others, that in our ministering to those in need, we find the person we have come to help ministering to us instead. I discovered this early on in ministry, but especially so as I ministered to the Latino communities in the parishes to which I was assigned. I was astounded at the great faith, the great generosity, the great kindness of the Latino people, many of whom had very little, many of whom were trying to make their way through the unknowns of the American culture. I admired the way they faced all the challenges of a new land, the long hours that they worked, and how they relied on those in their community to support and sustain them.
In the washing of their feet, I found myself humbled by the way they washed mine. In my washing their feet and in their washing my feet, I discovered my true self.
The music that accompanies this part of our Paschal Journey is meant to be more a musical painting of that celebrated scene in which Jesus washes the feet of his disciples.
As you listen to the music, remember the times your feet have been washed by others. Remember the times you got your knees to wash the feet of others. In our learning humility we must first strip ourselves of our egos and all the false identities in which we have been clothed. What did we strip from ourselves as we placed the cloak of humility around our shoulders?
