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."
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for those who struggle with depression.
Today's reflection comes from a homily I found from Fr. Phil Bloom:
--
Jesus gives us a model, "I, therefore, your master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet." (Jn 13:14) This verse has been terribly misinterpreted. Jesus is not proposing a "theology of good works." Or worse, saying the purpose of the Last Supper is to teach us to do nice things for each other. The point of foot washing is humility not self exaltation.
Let me give a comparison. To reduce the Last Supper to a motivational seminar for good works is like saying the meaning of the sun is to be the energy source for the light bulb in my room. True enough, solar energy makes possible the fossil fuels and rivers used to produce electricity, but it is so much greater than the few watts I make use of. I can even start thinking that what really counts is whether or not I choose to flip the light switch!
What counts is Christ - his self-offering to the Father. My own efforts are so puny, so half-hearted, so mixed with pride. For that reason they often backfire and I am left hurt, "Why don't they appreciate all I do for them?"
Tonite we have the opportunity to put things in their right perspective. After admiring Jesus' humility in washing his disciples' feet, we have the chance to worship him as he is. At the end of Mass comes the beautiful procession for the Transfer of the Eucharist. We will take some time to adore Jesus. He is the sun. We are flickering bulbs who depend totally on him for our energy.
--
Take care and God Bless.
|
