Eucharistic Readings for Maundy Thursday: All Years
Exodus 12:1 to 4 and 11-14: Psalm 116:1 to 10 and 17: 1st Corinthians 11:23 to 26: John 13:1 to 17 and 31 to 35:
“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. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them,” (John 13:14 to 17)
Our Lord Jesus has just washed the feet of his disciples. They have been taught the Way and are now to be sent into the world to teach and to further set the example of what it means to heal, to comfort and to evangelize. Jesus has just prepared their feet for carrying out the Good News. It is written, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” (Isaiah 52:7)
Foot washing is so much more than the hygienic cleansing. It is comfort for the one who is on their feet all day. Such comfort is demonstrated appreciation, and radical hospitality. When Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan, He immediately was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. Now, in this reading for today, Jesus baptises the feet of his followers, thus preparing their feet for the journey of carrying out the Gospel. Jesus points out that if he is doing this for his friends, then so should we. We are not greater than he is. We too are being sent into the world with the Good News (the Gospel). We have the beautiful feet for the job.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia and our schools.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
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