(written in 2006)
Desiring to rise higher, people build higher towers In Genesis, people in Babylonia decided to make bricks and bake them hard. They said, "let's build a city with a tower that reaches the sky so that we can make a name for ourselves and not be scattered all over the earth." Surely, we have a strong desire and ambition to survive in the world forever.
Starting with a 146-meter Pyramid in Egypt in 3733 B.C., people tried to build higher towers. Other examples include the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, built around 1350, and the 300-meter Eiffel Tower built in Paris in 1889. In New York, the 391-meter Empire State Building was built in 1931, and the 417-meter World Trade Center lasted from 1973 to 2001. The 442-meter Sears Tower was built in Chicago in 1974. And last but not least are Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, built-in 1998. At present, the 452-meter Petronas Towers are the tallest buildings in the world. These towers are proud of their awe-inspiring, spectacular views of the city and attract tourists from all over the world.
Human beings seem to enjoy going up and up, but God came down by himself to the earth. Jesus came to the point of dying on the cross. Before his death, he laid down his garments and washed his disciples' feet as a sign of love and dedication. Washing feet reveals a new attitude toward life leading to a spirit of beatitude in the kingdom of God.
This mysterious behavior is truly a symbol of life, service, the communion of love and unity, and life-giving forgiveness. It is going down to meet God and an act of exercising authority humbly. It's not authority from above but from below that leads to a gradual transformation of the heart.
L'Arche community founded in 1964 by Jean Vanier is a community following the spirit of washing others' feet. Jean Vanier was born in 1928 and finished his service as a naval officer in 1950. Later on, he studied Philosophy and became a professor. Nevertheless, he decided to live in the L'Arche community after meeting two mentally handicapped people.
Living with disabled people, Jean Vanier found the presence of Jesus in those who are weak, poor, humble, and little. Among the weakest people, he learned to love others more humbly, kindly, and generously. He realized it is not only the strong people who can help the weak but also the handicapped who can help others. Love and compassion let hearts open widely and be with others.
Jean Vanier was a Canadian who helped build the country and inspired the world. He even inspired and encouraged the well-known Henry Nouwen to follow the same steps. About 130 L'Arche communities are active now over the world, and many books regarding the spirituality and life of L'Arche were already been introduced to Korean readers. In one of them, Jean Vanier contemplates the sign of washing others' feet in The Scandal of Service: Jesus Washes Our Feet.
Whenever Mahatma Gandhi visited a city, he always stayed with the untouchables, the lowest group of people in India and he even changed this term to 'harijans,' meaning the children of God. While he had an important role in politics, he used to wash toilets and in this way witnessed the humble and poor Jesus. He revealed himself as one clothed in the image of Christ who served others up to the point of dying on the cross.
This way of service coming not from above but from below looks like a scandal because it goes beyond human expectation and imagination. Kneeling down and washing others' feet goes against common sense. It is really a scandal for those who are critical and judge others' outward behaviors.
Where does true authority come from? True authority with a spirit of communion comes from below, and it lets people help others, listen to them, ask others' advice or opinion, and accept others as they are. Jesus was willing to wash others' feet and suggested his followers do the same. He first showed an example not by words but by deeds.
This year, I accepted the suggestion to help my colleague's sister who is in charge of cooking for about 70 sisters. My service in the kitchen takes only 30 minutes just before dinner every day, and I'm happy to be with a sister in the kitchen. I usually wash dishes and do an errand. I'm happier being with a cook sister even for a short time. Learning to love each moment, new heavens are opened for the community.
The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ Jan. 31, 2006
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