Washing Of The Disciples' Feet
April 4, 2012, 5:40pm
JOHN 13:1-15
Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that His hour had come to
pass from this world to the Father. He loved His own in the world and
He loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of
Simon the Iscariot, to hand Him over. So, during supper, fully aware
that the Father had put everything into His power and that He had come
from God and was returning to God, He rose from supper and took off His
outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around His waist. Then He
poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry
them with the towel around His waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said
to Him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and
said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will
understand later.” Peter said to Him, “You will never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance
with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Master, then not only my feet, but
my hands and head as well.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has
no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so
you are clean, but not all.”
For He knew who would betray Him; for this
reason, He said, “Not all of you are clean.”
So when He had washed their feet [and] put His garments back on and
reclined at table again, He said to them, “Do you realize what I have
done for you? You call Me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for
indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your
feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to
follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
REFLECTIONS
As I have done for you. Holy Thursday celebrates the Last Supper of
Jesus and commemorates the institution of the Eucharist and the
priesthood. The Eucharist is the unbloody memorial or making present of
Jesus’ death on the cross. As a memorial acclamation puts it, “When we
eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus,
until you come in glory.” The Eucharist also continues Christ’s healing
and life-giving actions. The washing of feet is not just for cleaning.
It is an act of hospitality. What Jesus does for the apostles is an
utmost example of service. And he commands them to do the same — to be
servants to others.
The Eucharist is a sacrament of God’s love in Christ.
How do you celebrate and participate in it?
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