Reflection for April 6, 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."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Have you already experienced washing the feet of another person? Not yet perhaps, the simple thought of washing someone’s feet makes us cringe in aversion. This is for the reason that this kind of action is reserved for servants, and no one of us wants to become servants of anyone. 

We want to be served; we don’t want to serve we want to be masters and not servants. We want ourselves to be treated with respect and not to be disrespected. We want ourselves to be esteemed, to be appreciated and not be depreciated. 

When Jesus washed His disciples’ feet it was for the purpose of giving them a lesson. That if they truly want to become His followers they must learn to live and breathe humility and service in everyday of their lives. They must at all times learn to serve and not be served. 

Those who served in the church or identified to be close to the church are always faced with this challenge of humility and service. For example, if there’s a problem in your community that nobody wants to do because it somewhat demotes a person’s social status. Would you be willing to offer yourself to do that task that nobody wants to do? Are you willing to stoop and swallow your pride so that relationship can be restored once again?  

The true mark of a true follower of Jesus is not measured by someone’s eloquence, riches, power and ability to memorize and quote lengthy verses in the bible. The true mark of a true follower rest in someone’s willingness to embrace without any question the humility of Jesus. 

Would you embrace the humility of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas