Gospel: 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.”
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Reflection:
Would you
be willing to emulate the humility of Jesus?
Aside
from being the son of God, What is the secret of the endless longevity of
Jesus’ teachings? Countless people have already belittled Jesus as an ordinary
human. Yet His legacy and teachings still echoes until this very moment and
will continue to echo until eternity. What is the secret of the permanence of
Jesus’ teachings?
The
secret is in His Self-sacrifice, the secret is in His humility. Jesus never
thought of His own safety, He never created any comfort zones or anything that
would ensure His safety. He instead
blazed the trail of Self-sacrifice and Humility.
In His
self-sacrifice Jesus instituted this very day the Eucharist or the first Mass
to humbly keep alive Himself and His teachings. He did this for us to have
something to hold-on as we face the many battles and struggles of our lives.
Thus, He continuously strengthens us every time we make ourselves present in
the sacrifice of the Holy Mass. And He nourishes us every time we partake of
His Body and Blood during Holy Communion.
By His
humility Jesus’ embodied servant leadership. He showed the twelve apostles and
us also how it is to truly serve. He washed the feet of the apostles to signify
to them that they must do the same to those whom they will be serving. That
they will only become true leaders the moment they learn to give their lives in
humble service for others.
Therefore
we ask ourselves: Are we willing to follow the trail of Jesus’ Self-sacrifice
and Humility? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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