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.