Lessons on Holy Thursday: Servant leadership

Today is Holy Thursday and there are two major events that we Catholics must internalize in order to attune ourselves to our faith. These events happen prior to and during the Last Supper. Allow me to reprint today’s scripture reading to help you in your Holy Week preparations. Today’s reading comes from John 13: 1-15. It is the Washing of the Disciples Feet.

“1 Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So during supper, 3 fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power an that he had come from God and was returning to God, 4 he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist.

5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later. 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance from me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” 11 For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 So when he had washed their feet [and] put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them “Do you realize what I have done for you? 13 You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. 14 If I therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. 18 I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

This is a lesson that every leader, whether he is a religious leader or a political leader ought to embrace, especially those Catholic political leaders for this teaching comes directly from the Son of God himself who clearly stated, “If I therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” This is what we call Servant Leadership, something gravely missing in our political leaders today.

There is no question that when election comes, these political leaders would swear or take their oaths to serve the people… even President Aquino said that we are “his Boss.” But we know too well that these are mere lip service coming from our political leaders, who have used the name of the poor people in vain, while the real objective in winning the elections is nothing but grabbing political power for their own selfish ends.

Holy Thursday also reminds us of the Last Supper, where our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist. I have a simple Theology on this. If you read Mark 12: 28-24 “The Greatest Commandment” which I’m sure you already know, which is to love God with all your heart, your mind, your strength and your soul, the Lord Jesus Christ replied clearly, “You are not far from the kingdom.” He never said that if you follow the Greatest Commandment you are saved…or have attained eternal life. How do we do that?

Let’s move on to John 6:32-70 in the Bread of Life Discourse, where our Lord Jesus clearly pointed out, specifically in verse 54, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up in the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” These are the words spoken by the living God who is truth beyond question.

Unfortunately, even in his time, many of his disciples could not accept this teaching and left him. But our Lord Jesus did not call those who left to come back or tell them that this was merely a symbol… as many of our separated brethren insist. Instead, our Lord Jesus turned to Peter and asked him if he would also leave, but Peter replied, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” Need I say more on this teaching?

May I request the pious reader to please offer your prayers for our leaders, especially President Aquino so that they would be enlightened and embrace the teachings of our Catholic faith. Tomorrow, Good Friday, Catholics are exhorted to pray the Rosary between noon and 3 p.m. for peace in the world and the return of moral values in our communities and may God bless you immensely for your obedience to his Word.

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