John 13:16-20

Acts 13:13-25

Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27

John 13:16-20

When Jesus had washed the disciples' feet, he said to them:

“Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master

nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.

If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.

I am not speaking of all of you.

I know those whom I have chosen.

But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled,

The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.

From now on I am telling you before it happens,

so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send

receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you are all-powerful and know all things. You know how my life will unfold and how I will be judged. I renew my trust in you that you will guide me and bring me to safe harbor. Strength me in times of temptation and trial so that I may share in the victory of your Son.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Washing Feet at the Last Supper: It is understood that John wrote his Gospel for several reasons: first, to defend the divinity of Jesus; second, to add to what the other three Gospels already proclaimed; and third, to proclaim the mystery of the sacraments of the Church. John, then, did not need to recount the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. What he wanted to add to those narrations in Matthew, Mark, and Luke were Jesus’ actions, the commandment of love, and the promise of sending the Holy Spirit. What does the washing of feet mean? First, it recalls the ritual washings commanded by Moses. These ritual washings symbolized how the people of God needed to separate themselves from the uncleanliness of sin. Second, they recalled the ritual washing of the bride before her marriage. The marriage between God and humanity would be consummated on the Cross of Jesus. And so we see Jesus at the Last Supper humbly washing his bride’s feet. Third, the washings signified the self-emptying of Jesus. Jesus assumed our human nature and identified himself with the humble actions of a servant. In this way, the washing of feet symbolically anticipated his death on the Cross. Fourth, the humble action of washing feet looks forward to the ministry of the Church, which seeks to cleanse the new people of God from their sin in the Sacrament of Reconciliation after the fundamental and initial washing of Baptism.

2. Believe that I AM: At the Last Supper, Jesus highlights how he is telling his disciples beforehand what is going to happen to him so that they may believe that he is God, “that I AM.” From the other Gospels, we know that Jesus announced his passion, death, and resurrection three times on the final journey to Jerusalem. At the Last Supper, he announced that he would be betrayed and that this betrayal was pre-announced in the Psalms. As Psalm 41:8-10 proclaims: “All those who hate me; they imagined the worst about me … Even my trusted friend, who ate my bread, has raised his heel against me.” If we continue to read Psalm 41, it goes on to manifest hope that God will grant his servant the grace and gift of resurrection: “But you, Lord, take note of me to raise me up that I may repay them” (Psalm 41:11). Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead, and raise the just to eternal life and condemn the unjust to eternal death.

3. Receiving Jesus: At the end of today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about the mystery of receiving his disciples, himself, and his Father. When we receive either one of Christ’s disciples or someone in need, we are receiving Jesus. We need to receive the poor because in receiving them, caring for them, and giving ourselves to them, we receive Jesus, care for Jesus, and give ourselves to Jesus. And when we receive Jesus and welcome him, we receive and welcome the Father, who sent and sends Jesus. 

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I believe that you are the Christ and the Son of God. You have called me to be your disciple and follow you on the way that leads to the Cross. Keep me close to you so that I may learn your ways and truly be your disciple in this world.

Living the Word of God: How am I seeing and receiving Jesus in the poor? When I see someone in need, how long does it take me to realize that Christ is there?