Jesus got up from the table, 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, but is entirely clean. And you 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.
Water is a powerful spiritual symbol with many different meanings.
When Jesus washes the disciple’s feet, he gives them a symbol of servant leadership.
He says, “Since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each others feet.”
Pour some water into a bowl, even better a large basin.
Reach out and touch the water: Remember the living water … the Spirit of God dwelling within you.
Reach out and touch the water. Remember a time when someone served you, and like Peter … you protested.
Reach out and touch the water. Remember a time when you served someone else and felt great joy.
As you continue your Holy Week Journey, pause for a moment to ask God to show you whose "feet you are to wash." Of course, I do mean symbolically. Ask for the grace to love and serve others as Jesus has loved and served you.
If music is a pathway to God for you, listen to this youtube video of The Servant Song. If images speak to your soul, try your mute button and watch the images as a backdrop for the words with silence as your companion in contemplation. Pay attention to the word or phrase that speaks to your heart ... and hear God.
What is the word or phrase that has come to you through The Servant Song? What do you sense that God is saying to you in the music as you face your present circumstances?
Shalom dear friends ...
as we move closer to The Death of the Great Servant of Life, Jesus Christ. Amen!
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