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HOMILIES

Everything I have, everything I do, everything I say, I have received from the Father. The
Father begets the Son eternally. I have received everything from the Father. I was begotten of
the Father. Everything I do, I have seen the Father do. Everything I know, I learned from the
Father. I have everything from the Father.”

Jesus sees by his humility, and he recognizes that he has everything he has, he has from the
Father.

And he is happy to have nothing by himself, to have all by the Father. It gives him joy that all
that he has comes from the Father. Hear his joy! “I receive all from the Father. I know that all
comes from the Father. I know that the Father who gives himself totally. I receive all from the
Father!”

Jesus’ humility has repercussion in his life with us! Jesus is humble not only in relationship
with the Father Eternal, but also towards each creature. The Eternal Son could say, on
account of being God, that his is not humble, and it would have made sense! But being God
himself, he is humble by nature, he is eternally humble! The humility of Jesus is not a humility
in response to his incarnation, it is not a humility that only began when he became man! No, it
is an eternal humility! Eternally, Jesus the Son, the Only Begotten Son, receives himself from
the Eternal Father. Eternally, the Only Begotten Son receives everything from the Father.
“What do you have that you did not receive?” “I received everything,” says Jesus.

When he comes into the world, the Son of God made man, Jesus, expresses his humility
towards the Father by living constantly in prayer, because he receives everything from the
Father, and through prayer, he continues to receive everything from the Father.

He also expresses his humility towards humanity, towards his apostles, his disciples, towards
all who come to meet him! For he came to serve. He himself says so: “I did not come to be
served, but to serve. The Son of man came to serve and to give his life.” To give his life. His
humility gives life to his service. His humility gives life to the gift that he makes of his life. He
is always serving. He is always giving his life.

At the last supper, according to the Gospel of John, he washes the feet of his apostles: “I have
done this for you.” Jesus put himself at his disciple’s feet and washes their feet, performing
the work of a slave.

In the tradition of the Middle East, washing the feet of guests who arrive at a house after a
long walk, is a way to welcome them by removing the dust from their feet. It is a sign of
welcome by the host, but given by a servant or a slave.

(cont’d)

Collection of texts by the Most Rev. Christian Lépine 217