John 13:1-15

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14

Psalms 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

John 13:1-15

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come

to pass from this world to the Father.

He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.

The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over.

So, during supper,

fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power

and that he had come from God and was returning to God,

he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.

He took a towel and tied it around his waist.

Then he poured water into a basin

and began to wash the disciples’ feet

and dry them with the towel around his waist.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,

“Master, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus answered and said to him,

“What I am doing, you do not understand now,

but you will understand later.”

Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered him,

“Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”

Simon Peter said to him,

“Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.”

Jesus said to him,

“Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed,

            for he is clean all over;

so you are clean, but not all.”

For he knew who would betray him;

for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

So when he had washed their feet

and put his garments back on and reclined at table again,

he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?

You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’  and rightly so, for indeed I am.

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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you have done marvelous things for us. As a good Father, you led us, your children, little by little into the mystery of redemptive sacrifice. The yearly sacrifice of the Passover Lamb was a symbol that pointed to the sacrifice of your only-begotten Son. Help me, on this Holy Thursday, to appreciate the depth of your love for me and all humanity.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Old Passover of the Lord in Egypt: The First Reading narrates the institution of the Passover sacrifice and meal. It became an annual memorial of Israel’s deliverance and exodus from Egypt. The meal consisted of roasted lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs. The Passover was just about the sacrifice of the lamb, it also included eating the flesh of the Passover lamb. The blood of the Passover lamb was also powerful and was an efficacious sign that protected the people of Israel from death. In Egypt, the Israelites celebrated the Passover as a domestic sacrifice, with the head of the household sacrificing the lamb and acting as a priest. Eventually, in the promised land, the Passover became a temple sacrifice and included a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. However, when the Temple was destroyed in A.D. 70, the Passover began to be celebrated as a non-sacrificial banquet that could be celebrated anywhere. In Jesus’ day, the Passover included a feast of wine and the singing of hymns of praise (see Brant Pitre, Jesus and the Last Supper, 374-385).

2. The New Passover of Jesus in Jerusalem: On the night before he died, Jesus transformed the Passover, which was the memorial of the first Exodus from Egypt, into the memorial of the New Exodus from sin. On that night, Jesus identifies the unleavened bread as his Body. His Body is given and sacrificed on our behalf to deliver us. We are commanded to eat his Body as a memorial. On that night, Jesus identifies the wine as his Blood. His blood is poured out in sacrifice on our behalf to forgive our sins. We are commanded to drink his Blood as a memorial. By speaking about eating his flesh, Jesus identifies himself as the new Passover Lamb, who is sacrificed for our sins. Jesus also links the shedding of his blood to the establishment of the New Covenant. His blood washes away our sins, cleanses our souls, and protects us from eternal death. Just as the first Passover set in motion the Old Exodus from the slavery of Egypt and led to the establishment of the Old Covenant on Mt. Sinai, the New Passover sets in motion the New Exodus from the slavery of sin and establishes the New Covenant.

3. Being a Servant to Others: In the Gospel of John, Jesus, on the night before he died, gave us the ultimate example of humble service. What is more, the humble act of washing his disciples’ feet symbolically anticipates his death on the Cross. Jesus cleanses, transforms, and renews us in such a way that his actions of self-giving, service, and charity become ours. Jesus’ actions unleash the dynamic of new life in us. This is what empowers us to live the new commandment of love. Jesus does not just give us an example to follow; his actions and self-giving actually empower us with the life-giving grace and virtue we need to do meritorious works of charity that lead us to eternal life.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. You ask me to follow your example of self-giving and charity. Empower me with your grace and Holy Spirit to do good works of charity and serve my brothers and sisters generously.

Living the Word of God: Offer thanksgiving in prayer for the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, and the gift of the Eucharist.