Serving brothers and sisters

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. (John 13: 1-15)

On Holy Thursday we celebrate the Last Supper in which Jesus instituted two sacraments: the Eucharist and the priesthood. Each gift comes with responsibilities. We all have a responsibility to adore the Eucharist and to take advantage of every possible opportunity to receive this most holy sacrament. As for the responsibilities of priests, who have received the sacramental grace of Holy Orders, they have the responsibility to be at the service of their brothers and sisters. We should not be surprised if we encounter unworthy priests. Ever since the choice was made directly by Jesus there have been shepherds like Peter, who even if they make mistakes, go so far as giving their lives for Him; and then there are mercenaries like Judas. Let us pray every day for the priests we know so that they do not fall prey to sins of scandal and heresy, which have always confused the faithful.