Holy Thursday: Washing of the Feet

Jesus’ example of washing the disciples’ feet is a graphic image of how I can serve others. Washing someone’s feet is a simple gesture. In the same way, my service need not be complicated.

Last Supper – Servanthood:

In today’s Gospel, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples to show them the Gospel value of serving others with humility. If we want to be true disciples of Jesus, then we must follow His examples. Are we humble and caring towards others in our daily living? How Christ-like are we?

**********************************************************************************

As we gaze upon Christ at the Last Supper, as He becomes for us the "bread that is broken", as He stoops down in humble service at the feet of the Apostles, how can we not experience, together with Peter, the same feeling of unworthiness in the face of the greatness of the gift received? "You shall never wash my feet" (John 13:8). Peter was wrong to reject Christ's gesture. But he was right to feel unworthy of it. Mercy is His deigning to call us to act as His representatives, though He knows that we are sinners.

- Pope John Paul II (Holy Thursday, 2001)