The third level challenge: Wash the feet of the people you don’t know

Washing the feet of somebody who may not be able to repay you is the third level challenge. It is not just about showing love to the people who will love us back, but it is about loving without expecting in return. I usually associate this idea with the simple act of alms giving to complete strangers like offering some of our clothes and other basic necessities to those who are victims of calamities. Sometimes, we hold dear to the notion that God will bless us for such act. True enough, some people whom we helped say kind words to us: “Ang Diyos na’y mubalos nimo.” (God will reward you), which pleases me every time I receive such remark. Unfortunately, there is nothing special in these simple acts that involve giving away our “extras” or surplus. There is nothing challenging in such act.

In the grand scheme of things, doing good to our neighbor (or to any stranger) is difficult. However, it is the ideal way of getting a glimpse of the image of God who favors those at the margins of society. The story of Pipô (in my article entitled: The Tragic Life of Pipô), resonates with the lives of the marginalized individuals who do not have time to express their struggles because they are too busy working just to make ends meet.

I encountered a similar situation in our immersion activity during my final year in college. Part of the activities in our Christian Social Theology class was to immerse in a very poor community, where our group was assigned to a family of four. We were tasked to interview the members of the family and gather facts for our reflection. It was challenging since we needed to develop rapport by engaging them with an interesting topic about showbiz, boxing, basketball, and telenovelas. My female groupmates helped the wife in preparing our lunch: rice and monggo with tamban. I also offered to wash the dishes, but Anton, the husband, suddenly called me, “Bai, dali, kanta-kanta ta!” (Come, join me here. Let us sing.) So, I proceeded and gained my composure as we sang his favorite Yoyoy Villame (A Filipino Pop novelty singer and songwriter) song, “Butsekik”. For the record, I finished the song, but I promised myself then and there that it would be the first and last time that I will sing that song at a Karaoke. Nonetheless, it was my access pass to engage Anton in a one-on-one conversation.

Anton is a construction worker while Rosy his wife attends to their two children – the eldest is a boy who was then ten years old and the little girl about three years old. The parents also shared their struggles in raising their children and providing enough money to cover basic necessities. If there was no construction project, Anton accepts appliance repair services. When he was a child, he stayed at an orphanage center where he acquired his skills in carpentry and electronics. He recalled that those skills have equipped him in facing the practical world of reality.

As the conversation went on, I was quite hesitant to ask him more about personal matters such as: where are his parents now? Or why was he at the orphanage? I did not want to be preachy by sharing my personal encounter with God or to become too aggressive in my approach of explaining the faith, love, and obedience to God. I was waiting for the perfect timing, but I do not know how.

After a long pause, I said to him: “tan-aw nako, dako pud diay ug natabang tong orphanage sa imoha noh?” (I think that the Orphanage Center has helped you in a great way) Surprisingly he affirmed that, indeed, it deterred him from committing crimes or any unlawful act. He added, “Kung wala ang orphanage center, wala ko kabalo kung asa ko karon puniton.” (I could not imagine how my life would be like if I had not stayed in the orphanage).

After we bid goodbye to our assigned family, I realized two things:

1. Anton taught me a valuable lesson. We need to be grateful for any privilege that we have, despite the challenges in life. As an academic scholar, he inspired me somehow, to remain grateful for the opportunity to study and be courageous enough to finish it.
2. Regardless of our social status in life, we need to establish our priorities and “non-negotiables”. The family, for example, shall be placed above all earthly things.

The privileges that Anton and I have received are a product of love exemplifying the third level challenge. The people behind Anton’s orphanage center and my scholarship program have genuinely extended their love to us. They have washed the feet of the people whom they do not know. Ultimately, the challenge remains on how we pay it forward.

As I look back at that moment when Anton and I were having our mindful conversation, a compelling question comes to my mind:

In my current responsibility in the corporate way of life, how can I contribute to the welfare of others, to the Antons in the community and demonstrates faith, love, obedience, and service to Christ? (Francis Manayan)