THE SECRET OF THE SAINTS

In our Lenten articles we have resumed our studies in John’s gospel. Last week we studied John 12, today we think of John 13.

This chapter contains the utterly demanding account of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. ‘Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel.

He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet and to wipe them with the towel with which he as girded’ (John 13.3-5).

This was the lowest form of service, if not slavery, that a person could perform, John the Baptist had said that he was unworthy to untie the thong of Jesus’sandal (John 1.27).

But Jesus’feet washing deed descended deeper in servile service.

Mahatma Gandhi was an outstanding leader for the Indian nation.

He was once asked why he always travelled in the lowest third-class train carriages among the poorest people and their animals.

He answered,‘Because there is no fourth class’. Gandhi was living exactly like Jesus, and his attitude and outlook clearly mirrored the thoughts of our Lord Today we have softened the harshness of Jesus’feet washing act in the ritual on Maundy Thursday.

But when Jesus performed this servile deed for the disciples they were shocked. Little wonder Peter protested,‘You will not wash my feet’

But Jesus was only doing what he had taught, a lesson both church and society have conveniently forgotten.

Following Jesus means service to other in God’s name and under God’s blessing. How often had Jesus taught them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles their rulers lord it over them.

But it shall not be so among you. Whoever will be great among you must be your servant. Whoever will be first among you must be slave of all.

For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give is life a ransom for all’ (Mark 10.42-45).

To illustrate his teaching Jesus washed the disciples’feet

But a personal commitment to service is the hallmark and distinctive feature of Christianity.

Service is the secret of the saints and the courage of the faithful.

You will utterly misunderstand the Sermon on the Mount if you read these chapters (Matthew 5-7) to learn how to be successful and important.

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5.1-12) do not declare,‘Blessed are the strong and powerful you shall inherit the earth’But rather, ‘Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth’; (Matthew 5.5).

God be praised, in every generation throughout the history of the church, in every congregation in churches and chapels there are countless thousands who have understood Jesus’ message and now live Jesus’way.

The Christian vocation of serving and caring is described so well in that hymn,‘Lord of life’ It reads, by the toil of lowly worker in some far outlying field.

By the courage where the radiance of the cross is still revealed. By the victories of meekness, through reproach and suffering won.

Father as in highest heaven so on earth thy will be done’

To serve others simply goes against human nature.

That is why from the very beginning the first Christians veered away from this type of Christian behaviour Jesus’ teaching about serving, and Jesus’decisive conduct in washing the disciples’feet were too much for people then, and are still too much for people today.

So as we journey through Lent let us return to basics, to rediscover Jesus’example of service.

Remember the wonderful prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola. ‘Teach us good Lord to serve you as you deserve. To give and not to count the cost. To fight and not to heed the wounds. To toil and not to seek for rest. To labour and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do your will’

‘You are called to Jesus’ freedom. Through love be servants of one another’ (Galatians 5.13)

A LITTLE PRAYER. Gentle Father God May we follow Jesus by serving. Help us to find Jesus with the least not the greatest, among the lowest not with the highest. In Jesus Name AMEN