Gospel – John 13:1-15
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself.
Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”
For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord-and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
The Gospel of the Lord
The Mass intention is Gerald Kiwanuka, RIP
Reflection:
I let myself be touched by the solemnity of this passage. Something momentous is about to happen, something that will reveal more than anything else who Jesus really is. I notice how often the passage speaks of Jesus knowing, and what he does as a result of all this knowledge.
I might smile at Peter’s reaction, but I ask myself what would my reaction be if Jesus were to come now to wash my feet. I am totally unworthy to be served so humbly by Jesus, my master and Lord, yet he insists that if I do not let him wash my feet, I will not be able to have a share with him. And I hear him tell me to follow his example, serving others in their needs, with the same attitude.
- Do I feel like Peter, when Jesus kneels at my feet? Let me hear him whisper to me: ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ Have I the courage and the generosity to accept his humble service and unconditional love?
- Jesus’ instruction – to do to others what he does to us – was not intended to stop at the Church door. How can I bear witness to a servant God in my life today?
Fr John
