Daily Reflection for Thursday, May 7, 2020
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Thursday's readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/050720.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Acts 13:13-25
Responsorial: Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27
Gospel: John 13:16-20
Our reflection on Thursday’s readings:
“When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet …” John 13:16
The image of Jesus washing the feet of others always stirs my heart and often brings me to my knees. Here is my wisdom teacher and source of all love and compassion, washing the feet of all who will accept this sacred gift.
As we navigate through this uncertain time, I think of the feet so many people want to wash. They want to touch and be close to others again as they care for others. A coworker talks about how her grandmother is declining in health. She realized today, that the last time she kissed her grandmother was in March. She wonders if it was the last physical kiss. She desires to be close to her grandmother. So she shifts and writes the 100 most beautiful memories she has had with her and places her written love in a jar to give to her grandmother for Mother’s Day. Like Jesus, she washed the feet of her grandmother.
We had a Zoom visit from a partnering organization to our staff meeting yesterday morning. Kyle explained that they remain dedicated to their mission of promoting interfaith understanding. A season that was supposed to be full of conferences and workshops has pivoted and now they are advancing their mission in a different way. Using their busses and staff, they now transport food from faith communities who are receiving food donations to those who are in need of food. Like Jesus, this organization is washing the feet of the community.
I chatted with a young friend, Karen from Honduras last night. She was sharing with me how she and her brother are busy filling bags of food. These bags are being delivered to people in surrounding villages who are running out of food as they abide by stay-at-home orders. A whole different reality for those in developing countries. Like Jesus, Karen and Antonio are washing the feet of their neighbors.
Every day, we have around us examples of how Jesus continues to wash the feet of others. While we keep six feet away, we wash the feet of the other through compassion and love.
May you see the many feet being washed today and join in the washing,
Margarita Solis Deal