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)
In my late years I find myself to be a composite of the practices and habits of many people I have met along the way. Some, first hand, like my Dad teaching me how to load a moving van; and Marines and Priests who demonstrated physical fitness and the importance of daily prayer, respectively.
Some however I have learned from, second handedly, like our Lord Jesus, and the many written saints who also learned from Jesus. Chiefly I have learned to love others as Jesus loved me. It’s not easy. Some people are born with the mission to not be loved. But as Mother Teresa says, “Love them anyway.” And show such love in how we respond to their needs regardless of what they believe.
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 baptizes 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 Jesus. We too are being sent into the world with the Good News (the Gospel). We have the beautiful Baptized feet for the job assigned.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us Pray: (Maundy Thursday BCP p. 221)
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
onewhoponders 