Holy Thursday

April 9, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: Exodus 12: 1-8, 11-14

Psalm 116 “Our blessing cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.”

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26

Gospel reading according to John 13: 1-15

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Homily: Washing of the Feet

Before the feast of the Passover meal began, Jesus knew already that his hour is running out and it is about to come his approaching death (napipintong kamatayan).  He is about to be handed over to the powerful authorities, leaders and elders of the Jews from the temple.   “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” (John 13: 1).  He really and truly knew that he came from God the Father so it is time to go back to God his Father.  In spite he loved his Apostles, (including Judas), his disciples and other followers who are still in the world, his own, he has to leave them to obey the will of his Father.  Up until the end of his life, he loved us, whom he called to his own.

But Satan, the father of lies, won over Judas in betraying his Rabbi, Teacher and Master, Jesus the Christ.  “The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over” (John 13: 2).  Judas already saw, met and talked with the authorities in the temple; he already received the money as price of the death of Jesus, and now he is looking and finding ways on how to capture Jesus to hand him over to the chief priests and elders.

While at supper, despite he knew what will happen to him this night still he was able to compose his self, calm down himself, and perform his last duty – washing the feet of his disciples.  In it, in washing of the feet, he introduced the ordination of priesthood as servant of all, and the institution of the Holy Eucharist, in remembrance of him.  At the Lord′s Supper, we commemorate the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of the Holy Order.  It was at this that Jesus changed bread and wine into his Body and Blood.  He then directed his disciples to carry out this same ritual: “Do this in remembrance of me.”   “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 basin and began to wash the disciples′ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist” (John 13: 3-4).  Suddenly, though the meal was not yet over, he rose from where he was reclining, removed the outer garments, took a towel and tied it in his waist, poured water in the basin, and he came to his disciples one by one he washed their feet and dried with towel on his waist.

Here comes again the aggressive, initiator, who does not think twice, padalus-dalos, Peter.  When he saw what Jesus was doing and his feet are about to be washed, he strongly reacted to Jesus and rejecting Jesus′ washing of his feet.  “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′.”  (John 13: 6-8).  Here he told Peter that for the meantime he will not understand what is the meaning of washing of the feet, but later when everyone′ feet was already washed he will explain to them the meaning of it.  Also, he told Peter that if he will not wash his feet he has no inheritance from him.  He will not receive the Reign-Kingdom of God he prepared for them.

Here comes again Peter, he over-reacted to what he heard from Jesus about no inheritance if he will not wash his feet.  “Simon Peter said to him, ‵Master, then not on my feet,  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.′  (John 13: 9-10).  Instead only his feet to be washed he included his hands and his head, (napaka-drama nitong taong ito).  But Jesus said he has took a bath he has n longer needs to wash, except his feet for he is already clean.  He added, but not all of them are clean.  “For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, ‵Not all of you are clean′.′” (John 13: 11).  Maybe Judas was still around with them when Jesus washed the feet, for he said, “not all is clean.”  He was referring to Judas. 

After washing his disciples′ feet, Jesus put on his garments, place in one corner the towel and basin, and returned to the table.  Now is the time to explain to them the meaning of washing of the feet he had performed.  “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′.” (John 13: 12-14).  As their “Teacher” and “Master,” Jesus washing their feet, which is only the slave does the washing of his master′s feet, he gives an example to them of humility and simplicity in rendering service to one another, to their friends and neighbors.  “‵I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do′.” (John 13: 15).  Jesus is our model and example and exemplar in humility, sincerity, poverty, simplicity, and obedience in giving services and love to the others, by washing others′ feet.