4/6/2023 (Thursday) Today’s gospel reading: John 13:1-15

1 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.
2 The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper,
3 fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God,
4 he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist.
5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.”
8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”
9 Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.”
10 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.”
11 For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 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?
13 You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am.
14 If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

4/6/2023 (Thursday) Today’s gospel reflection: John 13:1-15

By washing the feet of His apostles just before His passion and death, Jesus confirmed once more how much He loved them despite their weaknesses and sinfulness. These apostles were unworthy but Jesus accepted them and with the power of the Holy Spirit, He will transform them later. May we also learn to accept and love one another in spite of our own unworthiness.

Up to the very last moment of His earthly life, Jesus showed the importance of humble service. Perhaps to wash another’s feet, no matter what position you have in life, is the ultimate act of servant leadership. He has shown one last act of love which he says is a model for His disciples to follow. Therefore, to be His follower means to do what He has done.

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When Jesus removed His outer garment which symbolizes power, He went down to the level of His apostles. He became one of them. It is a lesson of servant leadership. In order to truly serve others, we must shed or take off what separate us from others such as prestige, honor, and even attachments.

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“You do not understand now but you will understand later.” Indeed, there are many things that we do not understand now. A lot of things puzzle us. A lot of events confuse us. We just have to trust in Jesus. After all, He is the Savior of the world. Let us pray continuously for the Holy Spirit to grant us wisdom and understanding.

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