Reflection On John 13: 1-15

Today the Apostle John retells how Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. This is a type of parable, not of words but example. The Lord did what a servant would normally do. Then He tells us, “Do the same for each other.” The point is direct and clear. The bread is blessed and broken for our salvation. We can never forget the blessed physical body of Jesus which was broken for us. We consecrate the bread and wine in memory of Him. The author, Leslie Weather-head, tells of a frail 10year old boy whose mother died and he was admitted to a Children’s Home run by some sisters. The first thing they did was give him a warm shower and clean clothes. He loved the new outfit but put on his old tattered cap. He clutched it tightly when the sisters tried to remove it. After coaxing, he exchanged it for a new one. But, before accepting the new one, he ripped the lining from the old and stuffed it in his pocket. “Why did you do that?” sister asked. “Because”, he replied, “that’s part of my mother’s dress. I must keep it to remember her.” Jesus said, “Do this in memory of me.”
The purposefulness of one’s life reaches its peak if he/ she know that his/ her death is near. The deeds and words of a dying person are so powerful and important that they keep ringing in the memory of the near and dear ones. Jesus knew that the Father has entrusted everything to Him. This act of foot washing is actually a revelation of God. Jesus’ sharing in the divine essence, leads Him to wash the disciples’ feet. He only does what He sees His Father doing. God washes the feet of even those who betray Him. This lesson Jesus never wanted His disciples to forget. The first step to enter into fellowship with others is to wash their feet; make them feel comfortable in our presence; free them of the dirt of the paths they have treaded. This is possible in a humble acceptance of the other. Equally to accept the washing of our own feet by someone else means letting go a bit of our self- sufficiency, our privacy, our dignity and our clinging to the past.
Questions to ponder:
Do you want to be like Jesus?
What makes most Jesus’ attitude perseveres your life?
Do you really want to serve others?

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