Thanks so much for joining us!  Today is Day 29 of our walk through the gospel of John.  We'd love to hear from you - contact us at our website: www.markandkatiemartinez.com

A Reflection on John 13: 1-20

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and tied a towel around himself.” (v 3-4)

Here, we are given a glimpse into the mind and heart of our Lord. Jesus fully knows who He is, where He has come from and where He is going. He knows his Kingship, His rightful reign over all creatures. Yet, he stands, lays down His garments as He will soon lay down His life, and in what must have been puzzling to His Apostles, ties a towel around Himself. He has just preached to any who would listen, “Unless a grain of wheat falls and dies…” and now He gives them a final lesson of humility, of what it means to die to self, before the great lesson of His passion.

The Apostles are perplexed. Peter again rebukes the Lord and is chastised. He still has much to learn. “Do you know what I have done for you?” says the Lord.

“Do you know what I have done for you, child? I, the Lord and King of the Universe, Savior of all mankind, will this day stoop to wash your feet if you allow me too. In this world, you will have trouble and temptation. You will be tempted to believe that you, the servant, know better than the master. You will question my ways. You will rebuke me. And, if you do not learn the lesson I am teaching you here, that it is better to give than to receive, to serve than to be served, you will reject and betray me. I have loved you to the end, dear one. Let me wash your feet, let me serve you and give all to you, that your heart may be transformed in my Love.”

My Jesus, I am mystified by this example You’ve given. I imagine you in all your glory, kneeling to wash my feet, so dirtied by the scum of sin and worldly attachments. You stoop to serve me, though I have done nothing to deserve it. May Your Love so fill me up that I may joyfully serve those around me from Your abundance.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.