Spiritual Journey Thursday: Service

 

Welcome to our April SJT. Because it's taking place on Maundy Thursday, the day of Holy Week when Jesus washed His disciples' feet, I, as this month's host, suggested that we could write about service. (As always, the prompt is just a suggestion; feel free to write about something completely different!) SJT friends, please leave a comment with your link. (By the way, if you want to read more about Maundy Thursday, I posted some about it when I hosted SJT in 2023 here.) 

 

It was an uncomfortable moment. The disciples were gathered to share their Passover meal, and instead of waiting for the lowest servant to come in to wash everyone's feet, a traditional way to welcome a guest who had been walking on dusty streets, Jesus knelt down before His followers and did that job Himself. It definitely wasn't His job, as the leader, the most important person in the room. But He not only did it, He told them that now they needed to do that for each other. That, the most dirty, low-down, embarrassing kind of service. They shouldn't consider themselves too good to serve others. They shouldn't sit and wait for others to come serve them. They should do what needed to be done. 

 

It's hard to serve others sometimes, and it's also sometimes hard and embarrassing to let others serve you. Both sides of the equation involve being able to forget yourself and your own dignity and importance. Washing other people's feet can be smelly and unpleasant, but letting others wash yours can make you feel self-conscious and uneasy. 

 

The most secure people are the ones who have nothing to prove, and as I read the gospels, I see that Jesus was like that. He was so sure of who He was and what His purpose on earth was that He had no need to impress others or meet their expectations. He didn't concern Himself with people's criticisms or accolades. The only one He cared about pleasing was His Father. I think the more we can be like that, the less trouble we will have with both serving others and being served by them. 

 

Go here to read a beautiful poem about Jesus washing Judas' feet.

 

Margaret shares a song she's singing at the Maundy Thursday service, plus a golden shovel about service.

 

Ramona wrote an acrostic called Holy Ground, inspired by another poet, in honor of National Poetry Month. 

 

Bob's thinking about the heart attitude behind service, and also shares some ways we can serve others. 

 

Diane has written a poem about being ready to serve.

 

Denise created a black out poem from an article about Maundy Thursday. And she challenges us to serve people we might consider our enemies, too. (Plus she shares a message from Benjamin R. Cremer.) 

 

Patricia has a reflection on service, and how serving has played out in her own life. Inspiring stuff! But she's not trying to be inspiring, just to do the next right thing. 

 

Carol shares a nonet about Jesus' service and details about a Maundy Thursday Mass she attended. We're praying for you as you grieve the anniversary of your husband's passing, Carol!