Those of us here tonight wash each others' feet, and the power continues to flow. People who are served see the possibility of their own service. Their vision is wider than it was before, and the power continues to flow into new and unexpected circuits. The servanthood we see in Jesus frees people from self-centeredness and the need for control. It sets them free from the desire to dominate, and enables them to trust that God is working among them.
Opportunities expand, new life opens up, communities change for the better.
Each successive example of servanthood sets the power flowing in fresh directions as others recognize the challenge and accept it. This power gets into our lives, into our world, when Christ's example entices us, and like him, we dare to take the role of a servant. The Very Rev. Charles Hoffacker is rector of St. Paul's Church, Port Huron, MI, and dean of the Blue Water Convocation in Eastern Michigan, the newest diocese in the Episcopal Church. Postings are in advance of use-dates but may not be in chronological sequence.