杏MAP导航

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

杏MAP导航 Francis, speaking off the cuff during his during the Mass of the Lord's Supper at Regina Coeli prison, contextualized the Gospel passage from John in which Jesus washes his disciples鈥� feet.

Jesus does what a slave does

He explains that this was a task done by slaves. After having dirtied their feet on the dusty roads, people would return home. As soon as they entered their house, a slave would provide the 鈥渟ervice鈥� of washing their feet. 鈥淛esus wants to do this service to give us an example of how we must serve one another,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis says.

Those who command must serve

The 杏MAP导航 then brought up the passage where two disciples 鈥渨ho wanted to climb the corporate ladder鈥� asked Jesus to give them the most important places. After looking at them with love like he always did, Jesus told them they didn鈥檛 know what they were asking. He described what those in positions of power do: 鈥渃ommand and make others serve them.鈥� In thinking of times past, 杏MAP导航 Francis says that there have been many kings and cruel people who have made slaves of other people. But Jesus says it must not be this way with us. 鈥淭he one who commands must serve,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 reminds us. 鈥淛esus overturns the historical cultural habits of that time, but also of our own day.鈥� If only the kings and emperors of the past had understood Jesus鈥� teaching and had served instead of commanding and killing, "so many wars would never have happened," 杏MAP导航 Francis observes.

Jesus serves today in me

Turning to those present, 杏MAP导航 Francis told them that Jesus tells those discarded by society that they are important. 鈥淛esus serves us today, here in Regina Coeli.鈥� Jesus risks himself for each person. Jesus does not know how to wash his hands of people. He knows how to risk, for his name is Jesus, not Pontius Pilate. In going after the lost sheep, Jesus risks being wounded, 杏MAP导航 Francis asserts.

鈥淚 am a sinner like you. But I represent Jesus today,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis confessed. He then invited the prisoners to think of the fact, as their feet were being washed by him,  that 鈥淛esus took a risk with this man, a sinner, to come to me to tell me that he loves me. This is service. This is Jesus. Before giving us himself in his body and blood, Jesus risked himself for each one of us鈥攔isked himself in service鈥攂ecause he loves us so much.鈥�