By Astrid Alas, Adult Faith Coordinator, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon

To kiss the feet of Jesus is more than a simple act of devotion; it is a call to surrender, to serve, to love without hesitation. In prayer, a truth became clear to me: to truly kiss the feet of Jesus, I had to first humble myself before my brothers and sisters—the unseen, the lonely, the suffering. Service is not separate from worship; it is worship itself.

This truth is beautifully illustrated in the Gospel of Luke. The woman who anointed Jesus’ feet in Luke 7:37-38 did not hesitate to lower herself before Him. Weeping, she washed His feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, and anointed them with costly perfume. Her love was extravagant, her humility profound. In this moment, she embodied the beatitude “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).

Jesus Himself demonstrated this same humility in John 13:4-5, when He knelt to wash the feet of His disciples. The Lord of all creation took the posture of a servant, showing them—and us—that true greatness is found in service. “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). To kiss the feet of Jesus is to embrace this same call—to humble ourselves in love, to give freely, to serve without expecting anything in return.

Called and Gifted mission

When I arrived in the Philippines for our mission trip last month, time felt fleeting, and I knew I could never do enough to meet every need. Every encounter became an opportunity to listen, to comfort, to serve. Each small act of love became a way of kissing the feet of Jesus.

And in the midst of suffering, I found—joy. Those I met, despite their hardships, radiated a light that could not be extinguished. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). Their faith was unshakable and their joy contagious. They had so little, yet their hearts were full. In their laughter, in their resilience, in their unwavering trust in God, I saw what it meant to hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6) and to be truly blessed.

The Verbum Dei Sisters, tirelessly gave themselves in service, yet their spirits remained full of joy. Their work was not easy, yet it was done with love—love that spoke louder than words, love that bore the marks of sacrifice. Watching them serve, I understood “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy”(Matthew 5:7). In giving, they received. In serving, they encountered Christ.

Though the suffering was great, hope remained. Not a shallow hope that ignores pain, but a hope rooted in the truth that every act of love plants a seed. Even if we cannot see the fruit of our labor, we trust that God is working. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10). To serve is not always easy. It requires sacrifice, perseverance, and faith. Yet, in giving ourselves away, we find true life.

As I look back, I know that my mission trip was not just about what I gave but what I also received. I was reminded that the greatest way to love is through humility, that the most profound worship is found in service. And in doing so, I found what I was searching for: the presence of Christ, alive and moving in the hearts of His people.

Through my previous experiences in ministry and mission, whether in El Salvador or other places, the Lord has allowed me to work with people from different races, cultures, and social backgrounds. And yet, no matter where I have gone, one truth remains the same—the ones most in need give without expecting anything in return. They give not out of abundance but out of love, offering the best they have and often, all they have.

The love of Christ does not necessarily remove suffering, but it transforms it. It gives meaning to our trials and strength to endure. And in serving those who carry heavy burdens, they do not expect us to fix them or to solve all their problems. What they long for is something much deeper: to be seen, to be valued, to be loved and to be heard. To sit with someone in their pain without trying to fix it but providing our presence—this, too, was a form of love. In silence, I met Christ. And in serving, I was served.

In every act of love, no matter how small, we are brought into the heart of God. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8)—I saw Him in the faces of the people I served, in the hands of those who served beside me, and in the joy of the gospel witnessed in the mission trip team members who worked tirelessly to proclaim the good news.

The Called and Gifted™ Discernment Process from the Catherine of Siena Institute is designed to help Christians discern the presence of charisms (God’s gifts) in their lives. In January 2025, members of the Called and Gifted team in the diocese of Saskatoon travelled to the Philippines on a mission trip to introduce the gift discernment process to communities there. The next Called and Gifted introductory workshop in Saskatoon will be held March 22 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon. Find online registration at: JotForm Link For more information about the Called and Gifted program in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, contact Sr. Malou Tibayan at mtibayan@rcdos.ca or (306) 659-5843 or see the pamphlet (PDF).

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Called and Gifted, Adult Faith, Diocesan Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.