Reflection for April 17 Holy Thursday -Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper: John 13:1-15

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 behind the endless longevity of Jesus’ teachings? Countless people have already belittled Jesus as an ordinary human being, yet His legacy and teachings still echo to this very moment—and will continue to echo for eternity. What is the secret to 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 comfort zones or anything that would ensure His own protection. Instead, He blazed the trail of self-sacrifice and humility.

In His self-sacrifice, Jesus instituted the Eucharist—the first Mass—on this very day to humbly keep Himself and His teachings alive. He did this so we would have something to hold on to 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. He nourishes us each time we partake of His Body and Blood during Holy Communion.

Through His humility, Jesus embodied servant leadership. He showed the twelve apostles—and us—what it truly means to serve. He washed the feet of the apostles to signify that they must do the same for those they are called to serve. They would only become true leaders once they learned to give their lives in humble service to others.

Are you willing to follow the path of Jesus’ self-sacrifice and humility? If you are, your legacy will be forever etched in the hearts of those who know you—and they will remember you with fondness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas