The evangelist John introduces the account of the Last Supper, where Jesus washes the feet of his disciples: "Before the Passover festival, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." At the time of the Passion, in the hour of trial, Jesus continues to love. In times of difficulty or hardship, it is often tempting to withdraw into ourselves, to dwell in our pain. But Jesus shows us another path — the path of openness, the path of a giving that transcends all trial. This attitude leads to salvation.
Jesus saw the ordeal of the Passion as an invitation to love to the very end. He placed himself at the service of his friends. On the cross, he cared for his mother, entrusting her to the disciple he loved. In the midst of his great trial, he continued to love and watch over those dear to him. Following Jesus' example, responding to adversity with love is not a denial of difficulty. It is not weakness or cowardice. It is welcoming hardship without letting it define our lives or consume us. It is following in the footsteps of Christ.
Contemplating Jesus washing the feet of his disciples — including the one who would betray him — and observing Peter's resistance to accepting his friend's humble service (for Peter, a master is one who directs others, not one who serves), we become aware of our own limitations, our difficulty in truly loving. Yet we can also choose to take the path Christ opens for us: the path of selfless love, from the Passion to the dawn of the Resurrection.
The events we celebrate and remember during the Paschal Triduum took place two thousand years ago in Jerusalem, yet today they are an inspiration to countless people throughout the world. In these troubled times, when war is raging in so many places, many of our sisters and brothers are living the Passion in ways that are all too real. Let us remember that Jesus is with us in our trials. Let us entrust to the Lord our own difficulties, our family members struggling with illness of any kind, and all those for whom we now pray.
Lord, this is the hour of your abandonment. I watch as you are betrayed and handed over — disowned, falsely accused, interrogated, tortured, unjustly sentenced. Before the Cross I feel torn. I would run from it, but love keeps me close. I lift my eyes to meet your gaze. How hard it is to bear the sufferings of others, especially those we love. To love is to suffer. To be vulnerable is to be wounded. Lord, you hang shoulder to shoulder with every innocent victim throughout the world. Whose sufferings are you asking me to bear? Help me to be faithful, to persevere, to trust — to suffer, and to love. Lord, let me welcome the new life of your Resurrection; let me not lose hope, and help me to build a world where peace will flourish. Amen.
Pascal Boidin sm
