Do This in Memory of Me: Care for One Another

By: Laura Catherine Worhacz

“Our life is like a little boat on the sea. When we are thrown about by the waves, the Lord, Who seems to be asleep, tests our faith. That is the method He has chosen to make us stronger and to root our life in Him; the tree that is exposed to winds becomes stronger and more vigorous, and it produces tasty fruits. The union of life with the Lord in the Eucharist is our strength and makes our hearts beat in unison with the heart of Christ. The Eucharist assures us that Christ’s love for us never sleeps.”

 Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Counsels for Spiritual Life 
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Dearest Eucharistic Family, 
 
My future son-in-law asked me the other day what my favorite scene in the bible is, my favorite scripture. I just walked in the door from a walk, thought quickly, and then responded, “The Lord’s Supper.” 
 
By the grace of God, often in my mind’s eye, I am there at the Lord’s Supper (The Last Supper), imagining Jesus washing the feet of his disciples and offering the bread of LIFE to the Apostles. The Apostles did not know then this would be forever held as a Memorial of Christ’s Death and Resurrection, now and forever. The Apostles did not know then what they would experience in their lives by following all that Jesus commanded of them. By way of the heart, we see and follow; we listen to the scriptures and live in hope by faith in the mystery of salvation. 
 
Jesus enters into His Passion on Palm Sunday lovingly, knowing His mission is to glorify Our Father in Heaven by giving us an example of life to live in the forgiveness of sin. The Incarnation of God’s love is a gift we are privileged to receive in the reception of Holy Communion daily. Jesus is with us. He is with us in our Passions of life, the things we are called to die to and to offer up in the hope we will live in the Kingdom of Heaven now through the Eucharist. We are invited to live in the MYSTERY. The grace of the Eucharist and life of the Holy Spirit is our sustenance, holding firm to knowing Our Father loves us.  
 
The Lenten Season is an incredible discipline. It teaches us year after year to try a little more challenging tasks, think a little deeper, and pray like we are on a great mission. If I only had to pray for my husband and children and care for the duties required of me in my daily sacrifices, it would be full-time. Yet the more we open to God’s grace, the more we are asked to do in caring for the world around us. God gives us the grace to do what we can as He hopes for us to be employed in His love.
 
“As for Communions, don’t let any pass by through your own fault. You need them. When our Lord is calling you to come toward him in spite of your weakness, it would be very wrong to choose to stay away from his eucharistic table through humility. So then, my daughter, go in spite of your weaknesses. I mean, rather, go with your weaknesses and poverty. This is your admission ticket to our good Master. (Saint Peter Julian to Mrs Joséphine Gourd - October 18, 1851)
 
There is much to do. Holy Week sets our path to see the Institution of the Holy Priesthood & Holy Eucharist, with an invitation to venerate the Holy Cross on Good Friday, to wait with Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in silence on Holy Saturday, to be brought to live in the LIGHT OF THE WORLD as we live in the Resurrected life now by the Blessed Sacrament; this is our LIFE IN CHRIST.
 
Let us live in AWE of God’s Divine Providence. Let us see God in the birds of the air, the cool breeze, and the simple blessings we live in daily. Let us love one another as Jesus Christ loves us. Let us REMEMBER all the Lord has done for us in washing the feet of the disciples, hoping for us to follow Him in a deep sense of joy, knowing the love we share has first been given to us at a GREAT COST: IN THE PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST, HIS DYING AND RISING FROM THE DEAD. Let us be in LIFE caring for one another. 
 
Around your dinner tables, take time to ask one another what is your favorite scene in the bible, your favorite scripture, and share in the blessings of God’s Word. 

The Washing of the Disciples’ Feet. 
 
Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.” So when he had washed their feet [and] put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the scripture might be fulfilled, ‘The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.’ From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” (John 13:1-20)
 

Laura Catherine Worhacz

Laura Catherine Worhacz is a Lay Associate of the Blessed Sacrament and author of Consecration to Jesus Through Our Lady of The Blessed Sacrament. She is also the Director of Mothers of The Blessed Sacrament. She lives in Trinity, FL with her husband and their two daughters.