From the Deacon's Desk

Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer (Holy Thursday).

“If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (John 13:14-15)

WE SHOULD ALSO DO: The gospel for Holy Thursday is the story of the washing of the feet (John 13:1-15). We tend to gloss over this event, assuming feet washing was a common practice back in those days. Washing feet was not a practice of the masses, but one for the wealthy, for royalty. When an honored guest would enter the home of the wealthy, a servant would greet them and remove their sandals. They would wash the feet of the guest and rub their feet with perfume before sliding them into slippers.

The Apostles were certainly not royalty. They were farmers, fishermen, and tax collectors. And Jesus was not a servant – He was their leader, the person they looked to for guidance and direction. It made sense that Peter would declare to Jesus, “You will not wash my feet!” The idea of Jesus washing the feet of His Apostles was a completely foreign concept. It turned on its head everything the Apostles understood about leadership.

By example, the message was clear: Leadership is about serving others. Jesus’ spoken message was even more clear: “As I have done for you, you should also do.”