Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter

The synoptic gospels – Matthew, Mark, and Luke -- describe Jesus’ “institution” of the Blessed Sacrament during his Last Supper. In John 6 we find a very deep sermon about the Eucharist; and, later, an unexpected approach to the mystery in the Last Supper narrative. Rather than breaking bread and sharing the cup, Jesus washes the feet of his disciples.

In that gesture we glimpse the true meaning of his passion, death and resurrection. I say “glimpse” because it remains a very deep mystery. There is the silver glint of a fish seen deep in the water beneath your fishing boat. It tells you something is there. Was it a large mouth bass, a crappie, catfish or sturgeon? What do we glimpse when Jesus washes

the disciples’ feet? Does the word service describe the debt we owe one another?

Our reading of this lesson should also include the theme of betrayal. I suppose everyone has experienced betrayal; but not many of us have worked through the experience from hurt, anger, resentment and bitterness to healing, forgiveness, compassion and atonement. Betrayal often remains with other “unfinished business” as death approaches the Christian in her last hour.

But we have glimpsed the first lesson we should take from Jesus’ crucifixion. Rather than service, let’s call it presence – real presence. We want to be there for one another, present to one another as Jesus is here for us.  If service is about doing something; presence is about being something. In the ministry we often have to say, “Don’t just do something; sit there!”

The comedian Woody Allen is credited with the saying, “90% of success is showing up.” As I meet veterans in the hospital, I hear the stories of those whose fathers were “absent” although they were physically present. There were thousands of reasons why they could not and would not care for their children – anger, resentment, drugs, alcohol, sickness, work, sports, sexual obsessions etc. And, of course, many of these Veterans failed their spouses and children. They did not show up for the ceremonies of life – the birthday parties, basketball games, and family meals.

Mothers, too, are sometimes missing in action. They had children but they didn’t want to be mothers. Being truly present is never as easy as it seems.

In the hospital, behind every patient, I see the Crucified Lord. He is there, a Real Presence in their suffering. Pain, misery, betrayal and disappointment are sacred places where the Lord comes to meet us. If we look we will find him there.