The Banquet

“Jesus Washes the Feet of His Disciples at the Last Supper”

When he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you know 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 as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. – John: 12-17

Two groups invited to a banquet sat at separate tables. Each table was served the most remarkable foods that satisfied to the limit the senses of sight, smell and taste. The excitement built to max as the last of the fare was delivered. The host of the banquet bid all the begin the feast after fulfilling one stipulation. Each had to use the one utensil at each place setting. That utensil was a fork with such a long handle that it would be impossible to partake of the feast before them that they so desired with their very souls. The host then bid them begin. At one table the frustration was clear and evident. There was grumbling and angst throughout for no one could feed themselves. However, at the second table not a sound was heard except those of satiated appetites. For each person was found feeding the person opposite them. Each banquet table is an example of either hell or heaven.

Humility is the main virtue addressed in each case. Christ humbled himself to wash the feet of His disciples. The disciples humbled themselves to accept it. The members of the second banquet table humbled themselves to feed the other. And in so doing received the greatest joy of enjoying the feast.

There are those who are hopelessly selfish and there are those who are hopelessly selfless. There is a place for each.