Holy Thursday

John 13: 1 - 15

"What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand."

I thought of what Jesus meant by his words. It is usual to just move on to the end of the passage and receive the 'imperative' to "wash one another's feet". But that is premature and I believe there is much more going on in this narrative.

Imagine Jesus washing our feet!! We might say it is a great honor indeed, but in reality many of us would shrink back from such a gift (wouldn't we?). It means allowing him to come into contact with a rather 'ignored' part of ourselves that we would rather not show anyone. Sure, we value our feet in a functional sense, but we cover them up with footwear to make them more presentable. Jesus offers to take hold of this part of us and with gentle hands, minister to us. This is a service our Master does for us, a job that is lowest on the menial list. He does so not to shame us, but to demonstrate his commitment to "love to the end".

I believe there is nothing in other religions that has the Master becoming the Servant. Until we can receive His loving service, humbly and with true gratitude, we cannot easily "wash one another's feet", with the same inner attitude. We could 'imitate' an action (that is a good first step) and yet it may not involve the attitude that Jesus is hoping for.

We read this passage every year on Holy Thursday, and we can ask ourselves each time - how much of Jesus' love has permeated my life and how much am I now able to share with others?