It was the spring of 1961.
A classroom full of eighth grade students in Covington were reflecting
on the Last Supper of Jesus. To the question, “What did Jesus tell Peter?” a usually non-compliant boy responded, “If I
don’t wash your feet, you cannot hang out in my gang.” Not an Easter season goes by that I don’t smile
at his response and find it a source of reflection.
This year we are definitely in gangs—groups of individuals
working on the same task. The task is
staying free of the virus by trying to maintain an isolation from others. But
we still have “gangs”. Our gangs may be only one person, a family group or a
relatively large group such as a group residence, a jail, or a necessary work
place.
Can we define our “gang”?
For some it is required of us to be in more than one gang and of course
this is tricky. Are we an active member
of our particular gang(s)? Are we looking out for one another? Are we washing feet in our gang? Even a
gang of one requires care. Are we
looking out for ourselves that we may be a foot-washer for others? In our families, places of residence, work
environs, are we responding to the needs of others? Are we allowing others to look out for
us?
Being in a gang requires a
commitment. We ARE in it. Can we live up to it and its many stresses? Jesus had a motley crew for a gang. Let us ask him to help.
Sr. Mary Rabe, OSB
