“Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.” – John 13:5
Every year on Holy Thursday, the Church reflects upon the story of the Last Supper from the Gospel of Saint John. Unlike Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the writer of John’s Gospel does not tell the narrative of the institution of the Eucharist. He does not mention any details about bread and wine. Instead, John shares the story of how Jesus washed the feet of His disciples at that same meal.
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| Holy Thursday at the Nkokonjeru parish church which serves one of the communities of CARITAS' Uganda Catholic child sponsorship programs. |
The story of the washing of the feet adds another dimension of meaning to Jesus’ words: “This is my Body…this is my Blood, given up for you.” In the Old Testament, the Israelites shared the Passover meal, eating the meat of the lamb, whose blood they had spread upon their doorposts. After the angel of death had passed over their houses, they fled to freedom through the waters of the Red Sea.
You’ll notice that Jesus’ actions parallel this same movement. First, He gives His followers His own flesh and blood as the new Passover Meal. Then, he washes their feet. By means of the water basin, He shows them the way to freedom, which is ultimately the path of loving service.
Undoubtedly, the washing of the feet also foreshadows the Lord’s selfless sacrifice on the Cross. Washing feet was humiliating in every way, just like being hung naked upon a tree. Within Jewish society the task of washing feet was seen as so degrading that not even slaves could be forced to do it. But, the Master willed to become the Servant, and in so doing, He demonstrated for His followers the new commandment He would soon give – to love one another.
This law of love, this commandment to serve, stands at the heart of the Holy Triduum. Saint Leo the Great once said, “The way to rest is through toil, the way to life is through death” (Sermon 51, 3-4). It is clear, Christ only arrived at the glory of Easter Sunday by enduring the suffering of Good Friday.
So, if we wish to follow Him, we must walk the same path. We must wash the feet of those in need. We must love one another. And here is the good news, the promise that our Risen Lord revealed to Saint Paul: “If we have grown into union with [Christ] through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection” (Romans 6:5).
Merciful Father, give us the strength to imitate your Son’s loving service. Grant us the grace to share in His suffering, that we too may rise to eternal life. Amen.
