After Mass concluded last Sunday, Passion Sunday, a fellow walked past me on his way out of the church building.  In a very friendly tone of voice, he said, “See you next year, Father.” 

I didn’t know whether he meant that he was returning to his home parish after having spent the winter months here or if it was reference to the fact that he did not plan to come to church again until the next time we were handing out palmetto clippings.  

I chose to interpret his remark as meaning that he was returning to his summertime home in the Northeast or Midwest.  The Gospel reading for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper addresses a choice much like the one I faced on Sunday; it is a choice that every practicing Catholic faces from time to time. 

Among its many unique features, the Gospel of John contains no Institution Narrative, that is, Jesus’ words of blessing for the bread and wine at the Last Supper.  In fact, John’s narrative of the Last Supper contains no direct references to the Eucharist at all.  There is a very clear purpose for this surprising omission, and it is the very same purpose that led to the choice of this Gospel reading for use at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. 

The original members of the congregation for whom and by whom John’s Gospel was written were disciples of Jesus during his ministry.  They witnessed his miracles, heard his teaching, and stood by him at his crucifixion. (Jn 19:25-27)  According to the Gospel, one of them was the first witness to the resurrection. (Jn 20:1) 

Sadly, these disciples were also witnesses to a shameful lack of faith on the part of the other disciples and the tragic betrayal of Jesus by Simon Peter.  The community of John’s Gospel never recovered completely from the sense of disappointment that resulted from the fickleness of the Twelve.   

It was that disappointment, even distrust, that led the Gospel author to omit Eucharistic references from the narrative of the Last Supper in John’s Gospel.  His congregation was so scandalized by the behavior of the other disciples that they weren’t able to profess full communion and friendly relations with the congregations associated with the Twelve.  

The Gospel author’s resolution of the tension between those first Christian congregations is very instructive.  In John’s Gospel, Jesus acted like a household servant toward those who would soon betray him.  He performed a profound act of forgiveness and humility for the benefit of the ones he knew he couldn’t trust completely. 

Tonight, I won’t do the foot washing ritual that is the commonly used option for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.  There are two practical reasons for this choice.  First, I don’t want those who would have their feet washed identified with the fickleness of the Twelve.  The people who participate in the foot washing ritual are chosen from among the volunteers without whom the parish could not be successful; they don’t represent the majority invited to the Last Supper. 

Every practicing Catholic, however, has the experience of dealing with people who do represent the majority at the Last Supper, the relatives and friends who no longer practice the Faith.  Most of the common reactions to this experience are difficult to reconcile with the teachings of Jesus.  Anger, resentment, a sense of betrayal, the desire to pressure non-practicing family members to return to Mass attendance, and similar tactics accomplish no good results. 

How, then, should one react to Catholics who won’t be back in church until the next time Santa Claus comes to town, or the next time we distribute ashes or palms, or the next time they want their consumer desires satisfied?  John’s Gospel says that faithful disciples of Jesus behave in the same way that Jesus behaved toward his less than fully reliable followers.  The only faithful and appropriate response to inadequate faith is to try to strengthen that weak faith by imitating Jesus’ humility and generosity. 

This brings me to the second reason I’m omitting the foot washing ritual tonight.  I encourage everyone here to make a conscious, intentional effort this Easter to express Jesus’ gentleness, forbearance, humility, and generosity to all whom you meet, especially to fallen away Catholics.  If there is anyone here who will not encounter a non-practicing relative or friend this Easter, you can easily find a non-Catholic in need of mercy and gentleness.  If you’re still struggling to identify someone to act compassionately toward, you have the opportunity during this Liturgy to contribute to the Offertory collection which will be donated to FEAST Food Pantry. 

There is a crucial choice to be made whenever one encounters a non-believer or someone whose faith is weak or stagnant.  The natural, human reactions to this situation are inadequate to express the Catholic Faith.  The only faithful response to this sort of disappointment is to remember that we are mere messengers and, therefore, never more righteous than the One who sends us. (Jn 13:16)