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chaplain’s corner

Worthy of Celebrating

The month of May “Washing” of the Feet Peter, one of these disciples,
is typically a month The job of a correctional was appalled that Jesus would
of celebrations across officer is one that is very rarely stoop to the level of washing
the country. Not only shown in a positive light. Yet, anyone’s feet, especially his
do we celebrate our we still clock into our shifts own:
mothers and remember at the jail every day. There is 4 so [Jesus] got up from the
soldiers who died serv­ a strong parallel between the meal, took off his outer cloth­
ing their country, we lives of those who choose to ing, and wrapped a towel
also acknowledge and serve and the life of Jesus. As around his waist. After that,
5
honor the officers and the Son of God, Jesus spent 33 he poured water into a basin
employees who work in years on earth serving all those and began to wash His dis­
local corrections. As we whom He encountered—what­ ciples’ feet, drying them with
Shane Dotson, MS, CCE take time to recognize ever their situation. Those of us the towel that was wrapped
all those who serve, we need to in corrections do the same. No around Him.
understand the importance of a matter where the inmates have 6 He came to Simon Peter,
servant’s heart. been or who they are, we house who said to Him, “Lord, are
For those of us who are them in our jails, provide for you going to wash my feet?”
called to serve, it is essential their needs, and help them to 7
to remember the recipients of reenter society. Jesus replied, “You do not
our service and our communi­ One of the greatest examples realize now what I am doing,
ties and, most importantly, of having a servant’s heart is but later you will understand.”
the why. I believe the deci­ when Jesus insisted on wash­ 8 “No,” said Peter, “You shall
sion to serve is a calling, not ing the feet of His disciples never wash my feet.”
a job. Unfortunately, working during the Passover Festival. Jesus answered, “Unless I
in public service is one of the During the time of Jesus, the wash you, you have no part
most unappreciated careers we act of washing the feet was with me.”
can enter. left to those who were unedu­ 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter
cated and looked down upon replied, “not just my feet but
by those in their communities. my hands and my head as
Jesus understood this culture, well!” (John 13:4–9)
and He wanted to leave a pro­
found impact on His disciples Serving Alone
in order to show them the
As correctional officers, we
Correctional officers often importance of serving. are often called upon to per­
form many jobs that are less
carry the burdens of their than desirable but are essen­
tial to the well­being of those
job alone… placed in our care. I have seen
firsthand the servant’s heart
of many correctional officers
even as they cope with trag­
edy, death, medical and men­
tal health issues, unruly and
disruptive inmates, and many
other challenges the outside
world rarely sees. Correctional

70 | SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2021 AMERICANJails