"The Scandal of Service"

. . . is the title of one of Jean Vanier's books about the charism of the L'Arche Community.  "Though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not count equality with God, a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant. . ."  (Philippians 2:6)

Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, seeming to some an ordinary gesture; to others it is something shocking and challenging.  The washing of feet is an important and highly significant act for us.  During our retreat last week, we washed each other's feet as an act of love and humility.  Some, new to the community, were a bit reluctant and puzzled, but once they let their hearts take over, they said they immediately became comfortable and were filled with joy.

I remember, when I was serving at a soup kitchen in Riviera Beach last year, every Friday a husband and wife team came to wash the feet of the homeless and give them new white socks, for the homeless do a lot of walking and wearing out of shoes and feet.  I thought, at the time and still do, that it was the most extraordinary and worthwhile ministry I've every witnessed.

Retreat and Pilgrimage

This was a very active week for us at L'Arche Harbor House.  Tuesday we went on retreat at Shepard of the Woods, a beautiful venue surrounding a lake, owned by the Lutheran Church.  On Thursday we drove to St. Augustine on pilgrimage, beginning the day in the chapel of the Mother House of the Sisters of St. Joseph.  We welcomed our newest core member, Jack.  We prayed for him and wished him happiness and peace in his new home at Peace House.

Previously, Jack, who is non-verbal and autistic, lived in an atmosphere of intimidation and abuse.  His family wished to send him to L'Arche, but at the time, we had no accommodations and had to say "no".  However, in the spirit of Jean Vanier, who started the Movement with nothing but a small house with no plumbing nor electricity, "no" was not the answer God had in mind.  So accommodations were made by moving people around and dividing rooms, and doing anything necessary so that Jack could be safe.

Next we walked the grounds of Mission Nombre de Dios and the Chapel of Nuestra Señora de la Leche y Buen Parto – Our Lady of the Milk and Happy Delivery.  On September 8, 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés landed and proclaimed this site for Spain and the Church. This is where western culture and Christian faith took root in our country. From there, we boarded a river cruise to the inlet and up the Matanzas River, where the porpoises came out to play just for us.

Poured Out and Emptied

"For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand."  2 Timothy 4:6

Dino and I often visit the garden crucifix next door at Christ the King Church.  The depiction of a larger-than-life Christ, in real agony, is excruciating.  So many 'crucified Christs' above altars rarely move me, for they are so sterile and unrealistic.  However, this one is visceral.  He 'poured out everything for us.  Later the same day, we prayed the rosary in our grotto.  Brenda did not feel like participating, but she did something much more meaningful, she sat and consoled Robbie, who was mourning the very recent death of his father. The image of Christ on the cross was transformed, for me, into the image of Brenda.

Very often when we come to the end of a long, long day and feel we have nothing more to give, someone comes along and needs to talk, or has a headache and wants an aspirin, or needs his sheets straightened. Then, by the grace of God, we are able to make that one last effort in pouring out and emptying ourselves for love.

The Slow Food Movement

We are blessed to have a priest of the Order of St. Louis de Monfort staying with us for one month.  Father Tom has recently returned from Guatemala, where he served a poor village as pastor, educator and keeper of 50 head of cattle for five years.

Last week, while preparing a fabulous lunch of pasta, made with fresh vegetables, he gave a talk on 'slow food'; taking the time to fix nutritious meals to share with family and friends.  The Movement endorses a comprehensive agenda, including educating consumers about the risks of fast food; lobbying against government funding of genetic engineering; preserving family farms, teaching gardening skills to students and prisoners and many more worthwhile objectives.