By: Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C. on May 11th, 2022
If you drive by My Brother’s Keeper in North Easton Massachusetts, you will see a bronze statue of Jesus washing the feet of a disciple, a disciple who most likely had been walking all day in the desert sand with sandals. Then he says, "So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you." (Jn. 13:14)
This statue is appropriate in front of My Brother’s Keeper because those who work there are serving needy people in the community humbly in the name of Jesus. Their mission is to “Bring the Love and Hope of Jesus Christ to those in need.” No conditions put nor any questions asked. Anyone in need who asks for food or furniture, gets it, delivered with a crucifix and a message to the recipients: “He is the one who has brought you the supply. We are only delivery people.” When they return to their base, they come together to pray in their little chapel, the same chapel they prayed in before they left to make their delivery.
In today’s gospel, Jesus said, "I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness." (Jn 12) Those who serve at Brother’s Keeper bring the light of Jesus to others by meeting physical needs. Saul and Barnabas, in our first reading, brought the light of Jesus by preaching.
What are we doing to bring the light of Jesus to others? Are we humble enough to perform tasks for others that we may not like doing? Are we going out of our way to bring food or other material necessities to people in need? Are we sharing the light of the love of Jesus in words when the occasion arises?
Let us pray for sensitivity to the needs of others and for insight and strength to bring the light of Jesus to them by meeting those needs.
Father Pinto's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
Father Pinto Paul C.S.C., ordained a priest in the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1999, worked with tribal populations in northeast India as a missionary for ten years. In 2010 he came to the US for further studies. While working as a campus minister at Stonehill College, he assisted pastors in local parishes, led seminars and workshops for teachers and students in the US and earned a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Boston College and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Lesley University, Cambridge. He is currently working as the International Director of the Boston-based Holy Cross Family Ministries with missions in 18 countries.