“ ‘Consider well,’ he says to us, ‘that in loving I was first. You had not yet come forth into the light, not even the world itself had come into existence, when already I was loving you. Throughout my eternal existence I have loved you.’ ”
READ: JOHN 13:1–20
It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was. They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, and he got up from table, removed his outer garment and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “Never!” said Peter. “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus replied, “If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.” “Then, Lord,” said Simon Peter, “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus said, “No one who has taken a bath needs washing, he is clean all over. You too are clean, though not all of you are.” He knew who was going to betray him, that was why he said, “Though not all of you are.” When he had washed their feet and put on his clothes again he went back to the table. “Do you understand,” he said, “what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you. I tell you most solemnly, no servant is greater than his master, no messenger is greater than the man who sent him. Now that you know this, happiness will be yours if you behave accordingly. I am not speaking about all of you: I know the ones I have chosen; but what scripture says must be fulfilled: Someone who shares my table rebels against me. I tell you this now, before it happens, so that when it does happen you may believe that I am He. I tell you most solemnly, whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”
YOUR THREE-STEP GUIDE TO DAILY MENTAL PRAYER
REFLECT
Judas was still at the Last Supper at this point. He had already decided to follow through with his plan of betrayal, but he had not yet left to set it in motion. What was in Jesus’ mind when He came to Judas, poured water over his feet, and began to wash them? As Jesus finished drying Judas’s feet with the towel, and as He laced up the sandals again, He looked into Judas’s face and caught his eye. Jesus hadn’t given up on him. Jesus never gives up on us; He is the ever-faithful friend. The tragedy is that we are the ones who sometimes give up on Him.
Judas: I was more disgusted than ever at this repellent display of weakness. It confirmed yet again all my suspicions: this man had come not to restore Israel to its glory but to enervate it and despoil it. I wanted nothing to do with such an imposter, such a weak dreamer. I have to admit, though, that when He looked up at me — well, it made me think of the first time we met, when I heard Him speaking in the Temple and my heart surged with hope. He had looked at me then too, and I seemed to see in His eyes all the strength and wisdom and life that I knew existed somewhere but hadn’t been able to find. He invited me to come with Him then, and I couldn’t resist. I had never been moved like that before. And then there were the miracles, and the huge crowds, and His mastery over the Pharisees. It was all so promising, and I could even taste victory just around the corner. But He never took the final step. And then He started talking about the cross. The others ignored it, but I knew He was serious. And how could a crucified rabbi be the Messiah? How could weakness reclaim our glory? That last night, for a split second after He replaced my sandals, it occurred to me that maybe there was more to it than I understood. But then I looked at Him again, wrapped in that towel like a slave, washing my feet. It was repugnant. Peter was right — who would ever let a real Messiah sink so low as to wash our feet? But Peter was weak too; he caved in. I could never serve a Lord like that.
RESPOND
I glory in being able to call You Lord. I know that there is order in the universe. I know that my life has purpose. I know that the world is safe in Your hands and history is marching forward according to a law of hidden progress, surely guided by Your invincible providence. Jesus, my Lord, my Master! Here is my life. I put it at Your feet and at Your service. I offer myself to You.
So many items are on my to-do list. I have so many plans and hopes. I want to do so much for You, Lord. But in the midst of my programs and activities, I too often forget about the only law of Your Kingdom: I am to wash my neighbors’ feet. Only there will I ever find the happiness You intend for me. I must learn self-forgetful love. And each day, You provide so many chances for me to give myself in this way! Give me courage.
REST
You have washed my feet so often, Lord. Every time I go to Confession, You humble Yourself and wash my feet. Thank You for washing Judas’s feet. I am like Judas. Have I not betrayed You at times? You knew I would; You knew my heart as You washed my feet. A Judas is within me; don’t let me forget. As soon as I forget it, I will follow his example. Make me faithful, Lord; never let me be separated from You, never.
RESOLVE
How can I carry this encounter with me into the day? (Write / Journal)
CLOSING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Most Blessed and Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank You for Your love and Your grace in allowing me this time of prayer with You.
The world, the flesh, and the devil will all propose things I should focus on and run after today. I beg You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me instead to know and embrace Your will. Help me to see what You desire of me each moment of this day. Give me the wisdom, strength, and fortitude I need to avoid distractions, discern Your will, and focus on and carry out that which Wisdom reveals. Help me to work and live at a pace of peace and prayerfulness, always attentive to You, able to hear Your voice and to say no to anything that hinders my journey to You and a complete yes to every Holy prompting from You.
Help me to humbly and purposefully live, light, and lead others to the path of union with You and to tell everyone about this way of life. Amen.
About the Author
Fr. John Bartunek was ordained in 2003. He has taught moral theology at various ecclesiastical institutions at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and has authored many books, including the Gospel companion, The Better Part, and Inside the Passion, the only authorized behind-the-scenes look at the film, for which he provided on-set spiritual support. His online retreat guides are available in multiple formats at RCSpirituality.org. Fr. John currently resides in Atlanta, where he is serving as territorial vicar for the Legionaries of Christ.
