Homily for Holy Thursday 2008
For most of us,
our talk outruns our actions.
We speak about the way we want to act and be
long before we are actually able to "walk the talk."
Despite our best efforts,
there is a often a gap between our words and actions.
Ironically, it is much easier to see this gap in others than in ourselves.
However, we don't see this gap between the words and actions of Jesus.
His teaching, speaking, and acting are of one piece.
With respect to greatness and service,
Jesus teaches his disciples,
"The greatest among you must serve the rest."
In a stinging critique of the Pharisees Jesus says,
"Do what they say, not what they do.
They seek the places of honor in the synagogues,
they lay heavy burdens on others,
and do not lift a finger to help carry them."
"Do not lord it over each other,
as the Gentiles do.
The Son of Man has come to serve,
not to be served,
and to give his life as a ransom for all."
Jesus has lived this teaching out to the full
throughout his ministry.
On this holy night he finds a perfect teaching moment,
not with words, but with a simple action.
And the action rocks his disciples.
You can cut the tension with a knife -
"O my God, what is he up to now?"
John's description is matter of fact.
During a meal that John describes in Eucharistic language,
he takes off his outer garment,
takes a towel and wraps it around his waist.
Then he pours water into a basin and begins to wash their feet.
Their beloved teacher, Lord and Master,
the Word made flesh, who spoke the universe into being,
this one is not clinging to divinity,
but he has found the perfect parabolic action.
He is doing the work of a slave, a doulos.
It is incredibly difficult for us to get into this room,
to feel the symbolic, the emotional impact of this action.
John tells us that Jesus
has already nourished his disciples with food.
Now Jesus nourishes his disciples with loving service.
He washes their feet as the only begotten Son,
who has come into the world to redeem it,
out of the love that God has for the world.
This love is not a generalized idea --
it has specificity -- this love meets the disciples where they live.
Jesus giving himself to us in Eucharist,
Jesus laying down his life for us on the cross,
Jesus washing our feet by forgiving our sins:
these are actions of faithful, unbounded love.
This is why God became a human being.
This is why the Word became flesh.
What an awesome God we have!
What an awesome Redeemer we have!
Abbot John Klassen, OSB
20 March 2008
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