Scripture Reading: John 13:1-15
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table,[a] took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet,[b] but is entirely clean. And you[c] are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” (NRSV)
Maundy Thursday is the day in Holy Week in which the last supper Jesus had with his friends is commemorated and we are reminded of the call to servanthood. The name “Maundy” comes from the Latin word “mandatum,” which is a reference to the word “commandment,” found at the beginning of verse 34 of John 13: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another” … (“Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos"). A reflection on this event can be found in the video clip above.
Questions to consider: In the video clip there were a number of images of foot washing. How might you be being called to serve? What does serving look like in your particular context?
Prayer
O God, your Son Jesus Christ left to us a meal of bread and wine in which we share his body and his blood. May we who celebrate this sign of his great love show in our lives the fruits of his redemption; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. One God, now and for ever. Amen.
[Book of Alternative Services, adapted]