You must speak to the lowly of the glad
tidings; you must speak to the mighty who possess the power to kill
your body, but not your soul. Days of temptation and persecution will
come, I will not cease to implore the Father to stand by you. Be not
cast down. If I did not now depart, the Spirit could not come to you.
The visible is an enemy of the invisible. I have spoken to you much in
parables, so that it may the better remain in your memory. I had still
much to say to you; but My Spirit will speak to you, and He will make
you understand more easily than when I spoke in parables. Upon you I
build My Church; do you open the Kingdom of God to all who seek it.
What you do on earth in My name will also hold good in heaven with the
Father. And now I give you My peace as the world can never give it. I
remain with you in My Spirit and My Love."

* * * * * *

The great words were spoken. A solemn peace fell on their hearts.
Judas went out. The rest sat on in silence and looked at the Master
with unbounded affection. They could not understand what He had said,
but they felt these were words before which the earth would tremble and
the heavens bow down.

And now something extraordinary happened. It was not a miracle, it was
more than a miracle. Jesus stood up, took a towel and a washing-bowl,
knelt before each, and washed his feet. In their astonishment they
offered no resistance. When He came to Peter, Peter said, "No, Master,
you shall not wash my feet."

To which Jesus replied: "If I do not, then you are not Mine."

Said Peter: "If that is so, then wash my face and hands, too, O Lord!
so that it may be evident how utterly I am yours."

Then Jesus said: "You call Me Lord, and yet I wash your feet. I do
this so that you may know that among men there is no lord, that all are
brethren who shall serve one another. See how I love you. No one can
give a greater proof of his love than to die so that his friends may
live. So I leave you this legacy: Brothers, love one another. As I
love you, love one another."

John, overcome by those words, sank on his knees, and, sobbing, laid
his head upon His bosom. And Jesus said once more: "Children, love one
another."

Then He again sat down with them at the table. They were all silent.
Jesus took bread in His hand, lifted it a little towards heaven that it
might be blessed, and broke it in two. He handed the pieces to the
right a