Today’s Theme for Prayer – Jesus Makes Me His Intimate Disciple
How Do I Gain Deeper Personal Knowledge of God
If you distract your intellect from its love for God and concentrate it, not on God, but on some sensible object, you thereby show that you value the body more than the soul and the things made by God more than God Himself.. St. Maximus the Confessor
Humility and Service: A Lesson from Jesus
Jn 13:1-17
Before the Passover feast, Jesus knew it was time for him to leave this world and return to his Father. He deeply loved his disciples, and his love for them was unwavering. Even though he knew Judas had already been tempted to betray him, Jesus, during supper, got up from the table. Fully aware of his divine authority and his mission from God, he took off his outer robe, tied a towel around his waist, poured water into a basin, and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel.
When he came to Simon Peter, Peter was shocked. “Master,” he said, “are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand what I’m doing now, but you will later.” Peter, adamant, declared, “You will never wash my feet!” But Jesus insisted, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” Peter, eager to be included, then exclaimed, “Master, then wash not only my feet, but my hands and head as well!” Jesus gently explained, “Those who have bathed only need to have their feet washed, because they are already clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” He knew who would betray him, and that’s why he said, “Not every one of you is clean.”
After washing their feet, Jesus put his robe back on and returned to his place at the table. He looked at his disciples and asked, “Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for 1 you. Truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, 2 and no messenger is greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do 3 them.”
Grace Prayed For
Community: Jesus washed his disciples’ feet as an example for them to follow. We can pray for the grace to build communities of love and service, where we wash one another’s feet through acts of kindness and support.
Reflection
In the quiet moments before the tumultuous events of Passover, Jesus, fully aware of his impending death, took the time to wash his disciples’ feet. This act, seemingly mundane, was a profound display of love and a powerful lesson in humility.
Imagine the scene: the disciples, gathered around the table, perhaps discussing the upcoming feast or the rumors swirling around their Master. Jesus, knowing the weight of what was to come, rises and begins to wash their feet. This was a task typically reserved for the lowliest of servants, yet here was the Son of God, humbling himself before his followers.
Peter, ever the outspoken one, objects. “You will never wash my feet!” he exclaims. But Jesus gently reminds him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” In that moment, Jesus reveals the depth of his love. He is not simply offering a physical cleansing, but a spiritual one. He is preparing them for the new covenant, the inheritance of eternal life.
Jesus’ act of foot washing is a powerful reminder of the nature of God’s love. It is a love that is not afraid to humble itself, to serve, to give of itself completely. It is a love that seeks to cleanse us, to make us whole.
As we reflect on this passage, let us ask ourselves:
- How can we better emulate Jesus’ example of humility and service?
- Are there areas in our lives where we need to allow Jesus to “wash our feet,” to cleanse us from sin and pride?
- How can we better love and serve others, even those who may seem undeserving?
May this reflection draw us into a deeper intimacy with our Trinitarian God, a God who loves us unconditionally and calls us to love one another as he has loved us.
Growing in Intimacy/Union with Jesus
Offers a path to forgiveness: Even knowing Judas would betray him, Jesus washed his feet. This act of forgiveness shows us the boundless mercy of God. Recognizing this mercy and forgiveness allows us to approach Jesus with confidence, knowing that he loves us unconditionally.
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Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post