Episcopal Relief & Development
Contact

(0) My Cart

Gifts for Life Donate Now
menu
search
  • What We Do
    • Priorities
      • Women
      • Children
      • Climate
    • Integrated Approach
      • Agriculture
      • Asset-Based Community Development
      • Clean Water
      • Disaster Resilience
      • Gender Equality & GBV
        • 16 Days of Activism Toolkit
        • Ending GBV in Liberia
      • Global Goals
      • Malaria – NetsforLife®
      • Maternal & Child Health
        • Early Childhood Development
      • Micro-finance
      • Sanitation & Hygiene
    • US Disaster Program
      • Emergency Responses
      • LONG-TERM RECOVERY PROGRAMS
      • Disaster Help
      • Faith-Based Response to Epidemics + Pandemics
      • Why Prepare?
      • Episcopal Asset Map
      • Resource Library
      • Lamplight
    • COVID-19 Pandemic Response
  • Where We Work
    • Africa
      • Angola
      • Burundi
      • The Democratic Republic of Congo
      • Ghana
      • Kenya
      • Liberia
      • Malawi
      • Mozambique
      • Namibia
      • South Sudan
      • Tanzania
      • Zambia
      • Zimbabwe
    • Asia
      • Myanmar [Burma]
      • The Philippines
      • Solomon Islands
      • Sri Lanka
      • Vanuatu
    • Latin America & the Caribbean
      • Brazil
      • Colombia
      • Cuba
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Haiti
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
    • Middle East
      • Jerusalem / West Bank / Gaza
      • Jordan
    • United States
  • Who We Are
    • Mission and Mandate
    • History
    • Financials and Annual Reports
      • Financials Archive
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Board And Staff
      • Board of Directors
      • Staff
  • What You Can Do
    • ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE
    • Give
      • Donate Now
      • Sustainers Circle
      • Planned Giving
        • Matthew 25 Legacy Society
      • Other Giving Opportunities
        • Corporate Matching
        • Honor and Memorial Gifts
        • Gifts of Stock or Securities
        • Combined Federal Campaign
        • IRA Charitable Rollover Gifts
      • Our Pledge to Donors
    • Stay Informed
      • Blog
      • Sign Up
      • Newsletters
        • Seek & Serve – Newsletter
        • US Disaster News
    • Volunteer
      • Become a Ministry Partner
      • Great Ideas to Help Make a Difference
    • Pray
    • Careers
  • Press & Resources
    • 2021 Press Releases
      • Emergency Response to Alabama Tornadoes
      • Responding to Winter Storms
      • COVID-19 Pandemic Response
    • 2020 Press Releases
      • COVID-19 Pandemic Response
      • Responding to Storms in the Gulf Coast
      • Emergency Assistance After Typhoons in The Philippines
    • Stories
      • A Year of COVID-19: Response, Recovery and Resilience
      • 2020 in Review: Stories of Lasting Change
      • My 2021 New Year’s Resolution: Hope
    • Photo + Video
    • Online press kit
    • Media contact information
  • Church in Action
    • Lent
    • ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE
    • Church Resources
      • Worship Resources
      • Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday
      • Pray
      • Bulletin Inserts
      • Materials
      • Fair Trade Project
    • Christian Formation
      • Abundant Life Garden Project®
      • Coloring Book
Home | Stories | Maundy Thursday: To Serve is to Love

Maundy Thursday: To Serve is to Love

share

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

—John 13:34-35

This is the commandment Jesus gave to his disciples as he humbly washed their feet during the Last Supper, just hours before he would humble himself even further by his crucifixion.

The act of washing someone else’s feet was and still is an incredibly humbling one, and clearly demonstrates Jesus’ love for his disciples. By lowering himself to the position of a servant, Jesus displays the level of humility and service we are called to exhibit for others – no matter what.

I can only imagine how difficult it would have been for the disciples to allow Jesus – the King of kings and Lord of lords – to kneel at their feet in this way. Think about Judas Iscariot, the Betrayer; or Peter, the Denier; or any of the other disciples. He considered them as his friends and loved them in spite of their imperfections. On that fateful night, Jesus made it plain to us all. To serve is to love – no matter what.

Last winter, Dr. Daniella Flamenco was invited to share her story with the staff of Episcopal Relief & Development. Daniella runs the Episcopal Diocese of El Salvador’s health program, traveling with her small but committed team to bring health care and education to 60 communities in the country’s rural hills. El Salvador deals with issues of extreme poverty and gang violence (it has the infamous distinction of having the second highest murder rate in the world, according to the World Bank) and Daniella must constantly navigate how to carry out her ministry while keeping herself and her colleagues safe from harm.

As Daniella spoke of her of passion, dedication and love for her work and community, I began to weep. For me, this was an encounter with what Jesus demonstrated for his disciples. I witnessed what foot-washing looks like in the 21st century. Daniella is committed to God’s call to serve, regardless of the dangers of violence and limitations of a lean budget and a modest-sized staff. What she has in abundance ­– skill, determination and faith – enables her to be a light in the darkness, encouraging and strengthening communities to regain their health and vibrancy.

In an interview with Mike Smith, Major Gifts Officer for Episcopal Relief & Development, Daniella closed with these profound words: “I believe God wants to keep me here,” she said.  “It’s part of my life. I don’t even think about it. But God will tell me when it’s time.”

El Salvador: Mobile Health Clinic Video Link

——————————————-

 

Pamela Penn is an Engagement Officer for Episcopal Relief & Development.  

 

 

Images: Top, “Divine Servant” by Max Greiner Jr. Middle, Jesus Washing the Feet of His Disciples,Tulana Centre for Encounter and Dialogue in Sri Lanka. Last, Image Dr. Daniella and one of her patients. 


An Historical Journey

We invite you to journey with us through our 75 years of healing a hurting world. View our interactive timeline that takes you from our start in the 1940s to the present, and witness our growth in vision and direction. We thank you for your support that allows us to strive towards a flourishing future. It takes #AllHands75!

Sign up for News
Order Gifts for Life!

Read the Latest Stories

Quick Links

Prayers for Those Affected by Disaster

The Episcopal Asset Map 

Resources & Learning

Click below to access our Resource Library and learn more about our efforts around the world.

Discover

BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER

ACCOMPANY US IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY AND DURING TIMES OF CELEBRATION

Join Today
Episcopal Relief & Development
QUICK LINKS
  • Who We Are
  • Sign Up
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
Connect With Us
  • 1.855.312.4325
  • info@episcopalrelief.org
© 2021 Episcopal Relief & Development
  • Privacy Statement
  • Sitemap

Sign up to receive the latest stories.

15987