John 13:1-15
1 Before the festival day of the pasch, Jesus knowing that his hour was come, that he should pass out of this world to the Father: having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 2 And when supper was done, (the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray him,) 3 Knowing that the Father had given him all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and goeth to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments, and having taken a towel, girded himself. 5 After that, he putteth water into a basin, and began to wash the feet of the disciples, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 He cometh therefore to Simon Peter. And Peter saith to him: Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered, and said to him: What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith to him: Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him: If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith to him: Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him: He that is washed, needeth not but to wash his feet, but is clean wholly. And you are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who he was that would betray him; therefore he said: You are not all clean. 12 Then after he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, being set down again, he said to them: Know you what I have done to you? 13 You call me Master, and Lord; and you say well, for so I am. 14 If then I being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also.
Our Lord’s actions in today’s Gospel clearly shocked Saint Peter. I am sure that all of the Apostles, except for Judas, were appalled that Jesus would wash their feet. Judas did not believe in the divinity of Christ, so for him it would have been no big deal. Most likely, he assumed that our Lord was a fraud and that all He said and did was manipulative. For the other Apostles, the idea that the Messiah, the Son of God, would stoop down and wash their feet was abhorrent.
Jesus’ actions were the opposite of the religious leaders and officials of His time. He did not seek honor or praise. He did not hold Himself above the common man or even the worst sinner. He ate with prostitutes and tax collectors. He touched lepers. And now, for those who know who He is He washes their feet against their objections. They wished to prostrate themselves and pay rightful homage to God. But, He would not let them.
He explains to them that the Christian will be a servant. They, especially will give their lives to the service of Christ and His Church. They will serve, suffer and die as martyrs. Truly, they will “drink His cup.” Still, they could not imagine what would happen next. The living God who just stooped to wash their feet would be tortured, suffer every humiliation and pain, and be killed. They would be terrified and their faith shaken. Yet, the Lamb of God would sacrifice Himself for all of humanity and we would eat His flesh and drink His blood in the Eucharist just as the Jews ate the sacrificial lamb in the Passover. Truly, this was beyond human understanding… and it still is. Only through faith can begin to understand.
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May God bless each of you,
Judson Carroll
Judson Carroll is the author of several books, including his newest, A Daily Catholic Devotional, Reflections on the Daily Mass Readings January-June, 2025 It is Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK3M1WDZ
and
Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith. It is also Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47Q1JNK
His new podcast is The Uncensored Catholic https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-uncensored-catholic
Amen! Spot on!