He Loved Them to The End

They watched him, with eyes full of wonder, as he rose from the table, removed his outer garment and tied a towel around his waist.

What was he doing, was the question going through their minds.

He filled the earthen basin with water, knelt down before them, and like a lowly servant, began to wash the feet of his disciples. One by one he washed them, tenderly drying their feet with his towel.

The sound of silence filled the room as each one present watched this humble act of love and they were instantly aware of their own unworthiness as he bent  low before them.

But only Simon Peter protests, “Master, you will never wash my feet!

….”Unless I wash your feet”, he replies, “You will have no inheritance with me.”

Peter surrenders himself completely, his hands and his head as well.

Cleansed now by the Master, they are being prepared for what would lie ahead.
 

Each of us, from the day of our own baptism, has been prepared to participate in the dying and rising of Christ. We have all been called to die to ourselves, to surrender our obstinacy and to serve him by serving each other according to his teachings and example.

As we enter in to this last week of lent, may we all pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit  for ourselves, for our families, for our country and especially for all that will be joining our Catholic family as we celebrate The Great Vigil of Easter.

"Dear children! In this time, I call you
all to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit upon every baptized
creature, so that the Holy Spirit may renew you all and lead you
on the way of witnessing your faith – you and all those who are
far from God and His love. I am with you and intercede for you
before the Most High. Thank you for having responded to my call." 

BVM, Medjugorje, May 25, 2009

“ He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.” John 13:1