"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.