When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.”
John 13: 16-17
I have seven brothers and six sisters but anyone who has a brother understands pain. I mean physical pain. They love to beat up on you for some reason. Maybe it’s a guy thing, a way of showing love: the punch in the arm, the Indian burn, the rough housing… Like I said, if you had a brother, especially an older one, you understand what I am talking about. But I have to say even though I cried occasionally, I wasn’t a sissy girl. Mostly, I knew they didn’t really want to hurt me. They just didn’t know what they were. Intention is so important. I think that’s why there are trials, to partly determine intent. So before you do it, you have to understand what you are doing and why you are doing it. You have to be intentional. That’s what I hear Christ saying in the Gospel today. Understand what I am saying about serving. Then be intentional about serving.
Is there someone in your life who needs your service, a lonely relative perhaps? If not, how about visiting a nursing home, a shut in or a prison?
Lord, help us to courageously wash each other’s feet the way You washed Your disciples’ feet.
Today’s Reflection is by:
Martina VerPault
Did you know...
Tina VerPault was born and raised in Boston. Tina is one of the youngest of 14 children. She is blessed with 5 children, 14 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren whom she loves dearly. A long-time parishioner of Resurrection Catholic Church in Riverview, she has served as a parish secretary and director of religious education, as well as many other ministries, since 2003. Tina was commissioned as a Lay Pastoral Minister and encourages everyone who would like to deepen their knowledge of our faith through the LPMI at the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
