Past. Present. Future.

Paul retells the history of the Israelites from Saul to David to John the Baptist and Jesus. Why? Surely the synagogue officials already know their people’s history. Paul wants to ground the story of Jesus in the history of the Jewish people. He shows how Jesus is part of their identity as a people.

Jesus washes the feet of his disciples and, once again, reveals his identity: “From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.”

Jesus also imparts a duty to his disciples. After washing their feet and reminding them that no slave is greater than his master, he tells them, “blessed are you if you do it.” In other words, this profound act of service performed by Jesus must continue through the hands of his disciples. Imitating Jesus, we must continue to serve one another, washing each other’s feet.

In the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, we reflect on the three questions: “What have I done for Christ? What am I doing for Christ? What ought I do for Christ?”

Past. Present. Future.

As I write this, the coronavirus pandemic is reaching its peak in the United States. The present is full of uncertainty and anxiety. The past (the way things used to be) is becoming a distant memory. Our future is described as the “new normal.” We can only imagine what that future “new normal” will be like. As Christians, we have a duty to bring Christ into this future “new normal.” As Christians, this duty begins now with service to one another, washing our hands and each other’s feet. As Christians, we recall the graces of the past so we can bring them into the future.