April 17.  HOLY THURSDAY.   The director presented a short story for them to reflect on before reading the gospel.                 

They sat in a group around the scrubbed table, their Bibles open, eyes closed to the sight of peeling paint, ears closed to the sound of crying babies and nagging children, their hands dry and wrinkled from washing and cleaning and Jesus was there among them.   “How have you practised your ministry of foot-washing?” he asked.   

One woman spoke up, “I visit the sick every Thursday, bring clean clothes and food hampers.”  Jesus said, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Another spoke up. “I go to the squatter camps once a month and bring blankets.” Jesus said, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  Proudly each one listed their good works.  

One woman sat quietly in a corner. Jesus asked her, “And You Ellen?”  She burst into tears.  “My Lord and Master, I feel so embarrassed. I used to do such a lot but then when my marriage was in trouble Peter accused me of never being home.  We talked it through and prayed and decided I would concentrate on our 5 children for now. We are poor but I do not go to work. I make their clothes, teach them to sew and cook and Peter helps with their school work and plays soccer with the boys. I do feel guilty but ….. “  Jesus smiled, “Well done, friend. You have learned a hard lesson. 

And all of you too, your hands are dry and wrinkled not from the weekly or monthly visits but from the daily ministry in your homes, wiping noses, eyes and bottoms, washing  clothes, serving meals  and mending broken hearts.  Thank you for following my example. Much as I value your kindness greatly it is not mainly through the visits to the squatter camps but through the daily loving you give to your and my children that you wash my feet too.”  

Scripture. discussion, sharing, action. The director then read the account of Jesus washing the feet of the apostles from John 13:1-15 beginning with “He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was.”  What loving qualities does Jesus display and how can these be imitated best in your own life?

Church teaching. In our own time, in a world often alien and even hostile to faith, believing families are of primary importance as centres of living, radiant faith.  It is in the bosom of the family that parents are by word and example the first heralds of the faith.  They should encourage them in the vocation which is proper to each child. LG 11   

Pope Francis: Consequently, the Christian community should be at the forefront in pointing out the need for a social covenant to support and foster hope, one that is inclusive and not ideological, working for a future filled with the laughter of babies and children, in order to fill the empty cradles in so many parts of our world. All of us, however, need to recover the joy of living, since men and women, created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1:26), cannot rest content with getting along one day at a time, settling for the here and now and seeking fulfilment in material realities alone. This leads to a narrow individualism and the loss of hope; it gives rise to a sadness that lodges in the heart and brings forth fruits of discontent and intolerance.