https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032824-Supper.cfm
You Can’t Have One Without The Other
I did my studies in DerrysWood, south of London, England. We were a community of 30, and today’s gospel reminded me of Father General (the Superior General of the Institute of Charity), who was washing dishes after a meal. The Rector, superior of the house, said, Father General, “You don’t have to wash dishes.” Father General took one glance at him and continued washing the dishes until he washed the last dish.
I thought to myself, “Wow! I want to be like Fr. General.” It left a lasting impression on me. There was a catchy tune to a commercial, which I can’t remember, but the one line was catchy, “You Can’t Have One Without The Other.” I do remember it from a song. Anyway, before Jesus fed His disciples His Body and Blood at the Last Supper, He washed their feet.
Washing of the feet was a custom that only a child would do when someone entered their home. You can imagine what the house would be like with all those dusty roads. Why did Jesus choose the occasion of the Last Supper before He died to wash His disciple’s feet? Eating and Drinking at the Lord’s table reaches its fulfillment when we leave our place of worship and meet the needs of the people we encounter throughout the day and week.
The gospel said that Jesus “was fully aware that the Father put everything into his power.” When you and I eat His Body and drink His Blood in the Holy Mass, we have the power to deny ourselves for the good of others. It is something we must do. “We become what we eat,” quoting early fathers of the Church. Jesus was all about others.
Gospel Challenge:
If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,
you ought to wash one another’s feet.
“Eat My Flesh. Drink My Blood.”
I have given you a model to follow,
so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
Some people eat and drink at the Lord’s Supper but don’t serve. Others serve but don’t eat and drink. You can’t have one without the other to be the Presence of Jesus in the world today.
Love One Another.
Father Rick Pilger, I. C.
www.bscchurch.com
