Holy Thursday Message – Pope Francis

Pope Francis To Juvenile Inmates – Serve Others

This is very touching; Jesus washes the feet of his disciples. Peter does not understands what Jesus is doing. He refuses to participate however Jesus explains to him. Jesus, the Lord did this, and He explains to his disciples what it all meant. Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me teacher and master, and rightly so, for undoubtedly I am. Therefore if I, who am the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another’s feet. I have provided you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you must also do for others.

It is the example that was set by Our Lord, it was important for Him to wash their feet, because amongst us the one who is the greatest must go to the service of others. This is a symbol; it is a sign – by washing your feet, I have placed myself at your service. And we are to also serve each other. However we do not have to wash each others feet each day. What does this mean then? That we have to help each other, and although I may be angry with someone, we should let go of that anger and if they ask a favor, we should do it!

Help one another. This is what Jesus teaches us. This is what I do. And I do it with all my heart. I do this with all my heart because it is my duty, as a priest and bishop I must be at your service. It is a duty that comes from my heart and a duty I love. I enjoy doing it since this is what the Lord has instructed me. You too need to help us and help each other, always. And thus in helping each other we will do good for each other.

Now we will carry out the ceremony of the Washing of the Feet and we must every one of us ask ourselves, ‘am I really willing to help others?’ Just think about it. Know that this is a sign of Christ’s love, since Jesus came just for this, to serve us, to help us.

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