Jesus Came to Serve

Dearest Ones,

A Happy and Blessed Easter to all of you! "The Son of Man did not come to be served; He came to serve and give His life for us." I think the following true story is a good illustration of this.

A boy was consistently coming home late from school. There was no good reason for being late. No amount of warnings seemed to help. Finally, the boy's father sat him down and said, "The next time you come home late from school you are going to be given bread and water only for your supper. Is that perfectly clear, son?" The boy looked straight into his father's eyes and nodded. He understood perfectly.

A few days later the boy came home even later than usual. His mother met him at the door but said nothing. His father met him in the living room, but he didn't say anything either.

That night, when they sat down together at the table, the boy's heart sank down to his feet. There was his father's plate filled with delicious food and his mother's plate, too. But his plate contained only a single slice of bread. Next to his plate was a lonely glass of water. The boy's eyes stared at the bread, then at the glass of water. This was the punishment his parents had warned him about. To make things worse, he was starving.

The father waited for the full impact to sink in, then, he quietly took the boy's plate and placed it in front of himself. He took his own plate...and put it in front of the boy.
The boy understood what his father was doing. His father was taking upon himself the punishment that he had brought upon himself by his own behavior.

Years later, the same boy recalled the incident and said; "All my life I have known what God is like by what my father did that night."

Jesus came into this world to do for us what that father did for his son. He paid the price for our sin by his death on the cross.

All of us need to be reminded of what it means to be great. According to this world, greatness is how much weight you can throw around or how many people you can order about. We must climb to the top, even if we have to run over others in order to be great. Jesus turned that on its head. The great ones are not those who know how to lord it over others, but those who know how to serve.

On the night before He died, Jesus knew He had to show his followers just what being great means. In the hot, dusty country of Palestine, most people wore sandals and their feet became extremely dirty. That's why upon entering a home, someone, usually servants, would wash their feet. Jesus had to get his message through to them quickly, as Judas was about to strike. He had to set an example - so, He washed His disciples' feet - even those of Judas! Then He said to them: "Do you understand what I have done for you? I have set the example - you are to serve one another as I have served you. It is the only way to be happy in this world." Then He said those memorable words,"Love one another as I have loved you!" Love and service are the same. To love is to serve.

Most of us won't literally wash feet, so we ask Our Lord how we can serve. If we can't give money to others, we can give our time, a smile at the person you pass on the street, visit a sick friend, shovel snow, an unexpected warm greeting to one who has wronged you, etc. Daily, parents do so many acts of service, cooking, washing clothes, doing dishes, cleaning, picking up after one another, etc. You parents are doing what Jesus asks us all to do. Loving begins in the home. Keep on loving your spouse and children more and more, especially when you don't feel like it. Children will always remember your loving acts of kindness.

This last week of Lent is called Holy Week. We spend extra time in Church showing Jesus how much we love Him. On Holy Thursday, we recall the Last Supper, the first Mass and the betrayal of Judas. The priest washes the feet of the people. On Good Friday, we go through the long, painful hours of the Passion. Individually, we go up to kiss the cross publicly, in order to show our love. Isn't it wonderful? He died because He wants to see all of us in heaven!

As a child, I remember my mother made sure that we did not talk or eat from noon until three o'clock, in memory of the three hours Jesus hung on the cross for us. On Holy Saturday, the holy water and candles are blessed. The tomb is empty! Then on Easter Sunday there is great rejoicing and everyone is happy because Jesus proved that He was who He said he was! He fooled Satan! He wasn't really dead after all. The battle is over! We won!! He is alive and will always be with us! Our departed loved ones are not dead either - they are alive and will live somewhere forever. No other religious leader ever rose from the dead - not Buddha or Mohammed - that is why we know we have the truth. Jesus proved He is God! We are only asked to believe what is true. Is that too much?

Dear God, as Lent comes to a close, we recall the suffering of Jesus. We still may have our own pain, suffering and doubt, but help us to always remember Jesus' resurrection. Help us not to forget that you said that eye has not seen nor ear heard what you have prepared for those who love you. Amen.

Peace and Love,
Sister Francelle