This passage takes place during Holy Week. Questions to ask during this week of reflection are: Are you living in the fullness of the Gospel? Is the Gospel redefining you and freeing you? Who are you now and who are you becoming because of the Gospel? Looking at the example of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, we see that even in His most tension-filled time, He was free. His love flowed freely even to the men who would soon betray and deny Him because His inner life was filled with God. We can’t discipline ourselves to love others, but we can give and serve them when we are free. When you see your own shortcomings, don’t be gripped with despair. See instead what God can do and the means in which we can continually be changed by the Gospel. Peter’s response to Jesus washing his feet shows his humanity. He may have felt shame, unworthiness, condemnation, or pride during this time. Can you relate to any of these feelings? In order to be free, you must first surrender all to Jesus. The areas that you hesitate to have Jesus clean you are the very areas Jesus wants to free you. Jesus responds to Peter’s objections by telling Peter that he only needs to receive Jesus’ love for him. We may want to attain or earn God’s love, but Jesus only asks us to submit to Him. Jesus doesn’t ask to do anything, but only to be His. Our freedom is only in Christ and in being His. Do you know the depths of Christ’s love for you? Our freedom in Christ frees us to live for Christ. He calls for our participation. We will gain in the end if we give up the very things we fear losing. Once you are free, you can serve others. You will not lose out if you give because Christ will satisfy you.