Deacon Brigid Waszczak

As He [Jesus] spoke… a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!” But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
—Luke 11:27-28

Sisters and Brothers,

A spontaneous, exuberant shout from a woman so moved by Jesus’ words rose above the din of the crowd. Her intention was to honor Jesus and his mother because she woman was so inspired by Jesus’ preaching. But Jesus used her unprompted exclamation as a teaching opportunity.

While not dishonoring his mother, Jesus replied that more blessed and important was the connection between Jesus and those who heard what he preached (God’s word), took it to heart, and lived accordingly. Those who heard and embraced his teachings he considered more blessed than even his mother who gave birth to him.

Jesus did not dismiss the woman’s compliment, but built on it to encourage the crowd to listen and live as God expected, loving themselves and their neighbors as themselves.

His comment was as countercultural then as it is now. Our cultural ethic is: “Everyone for himself!” which promotes our own interests above all others. We prioritize ourselves (needs, desires, and wants) sometimes to the exclusion of family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Jesus counseled his disciples and us to first be servants of others which is the opposite how the nation prompts us to behave.

A Deacon’s symbols are a water jar, bowl, and towel. They remind us of Jesus taking a servant’s posture in washing the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper. Those elements remind deacons that our calling is to servanthood.

I have ceramic representations of these symbols in my home office. They are constant cues that keep me focused on the ministry of servanthood I agreed to accept at ordination.

Deacons, however, are not the only church members called to follow Jesus’ example. We are ALL called to serve one another.

Do we shy away from having our feet washed on Holy Thursday? I used to. Mostly it was vanity—I forgot to shave my legs, I need a pedicure(!), my feet are unsightly.

Jesus paid no attention to the condition of the disciples’ feet. He wanted them to experience his willingness to serve them even though he led and taught them for three years.

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15) His words reverberate to this day and call all of us to emulate his humility.

Can we metaphorically wash someone’s feet and allow someone to wash ours?

May it be so.

—Deacon Brigid