5th Sunday of Easter - Fr. Leo
“This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jh 13:35)
When Jesus washed Peters feet he did it as an example of what they should do for each other. Humbling one’s self for others. When Jesus suffered, died and rose from the dead, he did that as an example of where our faith will brings us. After our suffering and death we will be raised up to everlasting life in the bliss of God.
So, as Jesus loves us, so are we to love others. It sounds simple enough, but finding the humility to serve rather than to be served, challenges us on many levels. The only way to accomplish loving like Christ, is to have faith, a total love for Christ and all he is about. As we age, we grow in wisdom and we come to see what is most important in life. Each day Jesus makes more and more sense to us as he speaks to what matters in the depths of our hearts.
When we are young we are about “Making it,” which is appropriate, but when we reach old age, we simply want our loved ones around us when we dies. Grandmas and Grandpas are not trying to impress people any more. They are all about mentoring and helping others.
We don’t have to wait till we are old to be wise, we can become “old souls” now. Faith and an in-love relationship with Christ and others makes this happen. When we love Christ we want to be like him, and in him we find authentic joy in serving others rather than being served!