The Word So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything in his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He tied a towel around his waist. Then he poured water in a basin and began to wash the disciples feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. Simon Peter asked, "Master, are you going to wash my feet? " Jesus answered, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will later." Peter replied, "You will never wash my feet. " Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me." Peter said, "Then not only my feet but my hands and head as well." Jesus said, "Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed for he is clean all over..." ...Jesus asked, "Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me 'teacher' and 'master' and rightly so. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that what I have done, you should also do... If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. |
Fraternal service and willingness to lend a hand to a brother and to others is central to our vocations. Jesus demonstrated the importance of service at the last supper when he washed the feet of his disciples. Service is completely and wholesomely other-minded; we affirm the value and worth of another like ourselves, created in the image and likeness of God. "Washing the feet of a brother is always worth our time, talents, and our fraternal love."
And each one should confidently make known his need to the other so that he might find what he needs and minister it to him. And each one should love and care for his brother in all those things in which God gives him grace... |
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Attributed to Pope Clement XI | ||
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Lord, I believe in you, increase my faith. I trust in you, strengthen my trust. I love you, let me love you more and more. I am sorry for my sins, deepen my sorrow I worship you as my first beginning, I long for you as my last end, I praise you as my constant helper, And call on you as my loving protector. Guide me by your wisdom, Correct my by your justice, Comfort me by your mercy, Protect me with your power. I offer you my thoughts to be fixed on you; My words, Lord, to have you for a theme; My actions, to reflect my love for you; My sufferings, to be endured for your greater glory. I want to do what you ask of me; In the way you ask, For as long as you ask, Because you ask. Lord, enlighten my understanding, Strengthen my will, Purify my heart, and make me holy. |
Help me to repent of my past sins And to resist temptation in the future. Help me to rise above my human weakness And to grow stronger as a Christian. Lord, let me love you, my Lord and my God, And see myself as I really am; A pilgrim in this world, A Christian called to respect and love All whose lives I touch: Those under my authority, My friends and enemies. Help me to conquer anger with gentleness, Greed with generosity, Apathy with fervor. Help me to forget myself And reach out towards others Make me prudent in planning, Courageous in taking risks Make me patient in suffering, Unassuming in prosperity. |
Keep me, Lord, attentive at prayer, temperate in food and drink, Diligent in my work, Firm in my good intentions. Let my conscience be clear, My conduct without fault, My speech blameless, My life well-ordered, Put me on guard against my human weakness, Let me cherish your love for me, Keep your law, And come at last to your salvation. Teach me to realize that this world is passing, That my true future is the happiness of heaven, That life on earth is short, And the life to come eternal. Help me to prepare for death With a proper fear of judgment, But a greater trust in your goodness. Lead me safely through death To the endless joy of heaven. Amen. |