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Meditation: John 13:1-15

Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Not only my feet, but my hands and head as well. (John 13:9)

Science has shown that if you walk barefoot in public places, you risk picking up all sorts of nasty microorganisms: E. coli, tetanus, and many different types of fungi. These germs seem to consider the human foot a very welcoming environment, and they turn our feet into petri dishes!

Can you imagine how dirty people’s feet were during the time of Jesus? The apostles’ feet were probably tougher, more calloused, and just plain uglier than anything most of us have seen. No wonder it was the role of a slave to wash the feet of the wealthy—no one else would want to!

So you can understand Peter’s shock at the sight of Jesus stooping to wash his feet. Through his time with Jesus, he had come to understand that Jesus was the Messiah. Just to share a meal with him was an honor. So why in the world would this holy, wise man take on such a menial task? Jesus had to explain the importance of this gesture patiently before Peter would relent. And even then, he got it mixed up! Jesus had to wash only Peter’s feet because he had already believed. His head and hands were already clean.

The significance of this act of humility is so profound that some have called it the gospel in miniature. Others have likened it to the Eucharist. God so loved the world that he sent his only Son to save us. And he still loves us so much that he bends down at every Mass to teach us, feed us, and refresh us. Both in the Incarnation and at Mass, he sends his only Son as a humble servant—all so that we can be filled with his life and transformed into his image!

On this Holy Thursday, focus on this truth: Jesus loves you so much that he is willing to wash your feet. He cares for you so deeply that he wants to tend to your every need, even to the point of feeding you with his Bread of Life and the cup of his own Blood. How loving and generous is our Savior!

“Lord, thank you for offering me a whole new life with you! Teach me how to love and serve as fully as you have done.”

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14; Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

A Christian Pilgrim

17 Apr

JESUS’ HEART IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER [JOHN 13:1-15]

JESUS did not come into our midst demanding honor and homage. Rather, He came in humility, desiring only to reveal the love of God to everyone. Even on the night when He was to be betrayed by one of His own disciples, His greatest concern was that His disciples, His greatest concern was that His disciples be assured of His love. Confident of His care for them, they could love others and share His words with them.

Jesus’ heart is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In love, He invites us all to an intimate supper with Him, where we receive His flesh and blood in the Eucharist. As we partake of this divine food, Jesus comes to us to “wash our feet,” cleansing away the cares and stains of life in this fallen world. He comes to fill us with His love and to empower us to desire the best for our sisters and brothers in Christ.

It is humbling to allow someone to take care of our basic needs, let alone kneel before us and wash our feet. The very idea clashes with the pride we derive from doing everything ourselves, or thinking we have to earn such love. No doubt Peter experienced this as he exclaimed: “You will never wash my feet!” Imagine his surprise when Jesus responded: “If I do not wash you, you have no part in me” (John 13:8).

Jesus knows how deeply we need His love if we are to know the joy of living for Him. He kneels before us now – today – ready to wash us, love us, and fill us. Can we allow Him to do this? By “washing our feet” through the Eucharist, He restores us to the Father. He strengthens us, softens the hardness of our hearts, and heals us. And it is this very love of God that compels us to walk as Jesus did, sharing His love with others in humility and mercy.