Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 17, 2025

Holy Thursday

Scripture Text: Jn 13:1-15

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. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. 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 a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. 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.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but 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.” For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

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. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel for today from John recounts Jesus’ gathering with the disciples the night before He died on the cross. Jesus used this opportunity to provide a model for the disciples of the lives they were being called to lead after His death and resurrection – a life as servant.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Have I picked up the apron of humility? Am I serving others as the LORD calls me to serve?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your only-begotten Son to dwell among us as our brother, to take upon himself our human nature except for sin. Through His words and teachings, He revealed to us your love for us and your desire that we have life and have it in abundance. Through His actions, He gave us an example of what it means to be your loving and obedient children. On the night before He selflessly gave Himself upon the cross of Calvary to redeem us of our sins though He himself was sinless, He gave us an example of how we are to live as your children and as his disciples – He washed the feet of his disciples and then He called all of us who wish to follow in His footsteps to do the same – to be servants. Send your Spirit to grace us with humility so that we might put down our pride and self-reliance and instead pick up our aprons of humility so that we might more perfectly serve You and one another with love. We ask this in the name of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.

Painting by Ford Madox Brown