5th Sunday of Easter
Doctor Gary Chapman, a Baptist minister, authored a book in 1992 titled The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts. Dr. Chapman referenced five key elements that can differ for everyone: words of affirmation, quality of time, physical touch, acts of service, and receiving gifts. I know I fluctuate on these concepts, but I admit that acts of service speak volumes to me. When we reference biblical love, we hear of agape (unconditional), philia (brotherly), storge (familial), and eros (romantic).
Today’s gospel immediately follows Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. Judas, his betrayer, had left the room, and Jesus gave the disciples one last commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, you should also love one another. When Jesus speaks of love, he is modeling, as he did in washing the feet of the disciples, the highest form of love, an agape love. Agape love is selfless and sacrificial, emptying oneself for the sake of another. Jesus left this last commandment as a reminder of the love they would need to show one another and others after he was gone.
Like the disciples, we find our true selves, our identity as Catholic Christians, in agape love. In the words of Eymard: Love cannot triumph unless it becomes the one passion of our life. Without such passion, we may produce isolated acts of love, but our life is not really won over or consecrated to an ideal. Agape love requires faithfulness and commitment without expecting anything in return.
In the Eucharist, we receive God’s love for us through the body and blood of his Son, Jesus. Nourished and transformed at this love feast, we are commanded to go forth and wash the feet of others.
Whose feet will you wash today?
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we come before you with hearts full of gratitude for the powerful symbolism of foot washing in our spiritual journey. Just as Jesus humbly washed His disciples’ feet. May this act of service remind us of the depth of your love and the call to love and serve one another. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
