Yesterday I experienced two moments of significance. Each day is filled with millions of such moments I know, but only a few seem to give me pause. I will touch on one today and the other tomorrow.

My mother gave a talk on what it means to be a servant. The Doubter, the Denyer, and the Traitor all sat down at table and each had their feet washed by their Master. I am pretty good at serving and taking care of myself, my family and my friends.

But Jesus washed the feet of the one who would betray him.

Am I willing to serve the backstabbers, those who make me angry, my enemies, the stranger? Do I go the extra mile for others, for my colleagues at work, even for those I am close to? Do I take the parking space closest to the door or do I park far away so that another can have that space? In everything I do, do I give consideration to the other before me? Am I trying to be first or am I content to be last?

There is a popular phrase in pseudo-Latin found in The Handmaid’s Tale: “Don’t let the bastards get you down.” The book is powerful and there is some truth to the phrase. But it’s popularization more closely reflects the “me first, stand up for the individual, hate your enemy, vengeance, look out for your own” values of our culture.

If we take seriously the call to be servants, then we are asked to go further.
Sinere te ab improbis opprimi. LET the bastards get you down.
On your knees in prayer for those you disagree with. On your knees in service to those who annoy you.

That is a hard word to hear. But deep within me it rings very true.
I pray that I would have a Servant’s Heart in all that I say and do.