Gospel Reading: John 13:1-15

1 It was before the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt. Jesus knew the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. He had loved His own who were in the world. He loved them to the end. 2 He and His followers were having supper. Satan had put the thought into the heart of Judas Iscariot of handing Jesus over to the leaders of the country. 3 Jesus knew the Father had put everything into His hands. He knew He had come from God and was going back to God. 4 Jesus got up from the supper and took off His coat. He picked up a cloth and put it around Him. 5 Then He put water into a wash pan and began to wash the feet of His followers. He dried their feet with the cloth He had put around Himself.

6 Jesus came to Simon Peter. Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You going to wash my feet?" 7 Jesus answered him, "You do not understand now what I am doing but you will later." 8 Peter said to Him, "I will never let You wash my feet." Jesus said, "Unless I wash you, you will not be a part of Me." 9 Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, do not wash only my feet, but wash my hands and my head also." 10 Jesus said to him, "Anyone who has washed his body needs only to wash his feet. Then he is clean all over. You are all clean except one." 11 Jesus knew who was going to hand Him over to the leaders. That is why He said, "You are all clean except one."

12 Jesus washed their feet and put on His coat. Then He sat down again and said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord. You are right because that is what I am. 14 I am your Teacher and Lord. I have washed your feet. You should wash each other's feet also. 15 I have done this to show you what should be done. You should do as I have done to you.  

Old Testament Reading: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14

12 Jesus washed their feet and put on His coat. Then He sat down again and said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord. You are right because that is what I am. 14 I am your Teacher and Lord. I have washed your feet. You should wash each other's feet also. 15 I have done this to show you what should be done. You should do as I have done to you.

Meditation: Does your love waver when you encounter bitter disappointments and injury from others? As Jesus' hour of humiliation draws near he reveals to his disciples the supreme humility which shaped the love he had for them. He stoops to perform a menial task reserved for servants – the washing of smelly, dirty feet. In stooping to serve his disciples Jesus knew he would be betrayed by one of them and that the rest would abandon him through disloyalty. Such knowledge could have easily led to bitterness or hatred. Jesus met the injury of betrayal and disloyalty with the greatest humility and supreme love. Jesus loved his disciples to the very end, even when they failed him and forsook him. The Lord loves each of us unconditionally. His love has power to set us free to serve others with Christ-like compassion and humility. Does the love of Christ rule in your heart, thoughts, intentions and actions?

Prayer: "Lord Jesus, your love conquers all and never fails. Help me to love others freely, with heart-felt compassion, kindness and goodness. Where there is injury, may I sow peace rather than strife."

Psalm 116:12-13, 16-18

12 What should I give to the Lord for all the good things He has done for me?
 13 I will show Him my thanks for saving me with a gift of wine and praise His name.

16 For sure I am Your servant, O Lord. I am Your servant, the son of the woman who served You. You have set me free from my chains.
 17 I will give a gift of thanks to You and call on the name of the Lord.
 18 I will keep my promises to the Lord before all His people,