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When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen,
amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any
messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand
this, blessed are you if you do it.” John 13:16–17
During this, the Fourth Week of Easter, we return to the Last
Supper and will spend a few weeks considering the discourse Jesus
gave that Holy Thursday evening to His disciples. The question to
ask yourself today is this: “Are you blessed?” Jesus says that you
are blessed if you “understand” and “do” what He teaches His
disciples. So what did He teach them?
Jesus offers this prophetic action by which He took on the role of
a slave by washing the disciples’ feet. His action was much louder
than words, as the saying goes. The disciples were humbled by this
act, and Peter, at first, refused it. There is little doubt that
this humble act of service, by which Jesus lowered Himself before
His disciples, made a strong impression upon them.
The worldly view of greatness is much different than the one Jesus
taught. Worldly greatness is a process of elevating yourself in the
eyes of others, striving to let them know just how good you are.
Worldly greatness is often driven by a fear of what others may
think of you, and a desire to be honored by all. But Jesus wants to
be clear that we will only be great if we serve. We must humble
ourselves before others, holding them and their goodness up,
honoring them and showing them the deepest love and respect. By
washing their feet, Jesus completely abandoned the worldly view of
greatness and called His disciples to do the same.
Humility is difficult to understand at times. This is why Jesus
said, “If you understand this…” He realized that the disciples, as
well as all of us, will struggle with understanding the importance
of humbling ourselves before others and serving them. But if you do
understand humility, you will be “blessed” when you live it. You
will not be blessed in the eyes of the world, but you will be truly
blessed in the eyes of God. Humility is especially accomplished
when we purify our desire for honor and prestige, when we overcome
all fear of being mistreated, and when, in place of this desire and
fear, we desire abundant blessings upon others, even before
ourselves. This love and humility is the only way to this
mysterious and profound depth of love.
Reflect, today, upon this humble act of the Son of God, the Savior
of the World, lowering Himself before His disciples, serving them
as if He were a slave. Try to imagine yourself doing this for
others. Think about various ways that you can more readily go out
of your way to put others and their needs before your own. Seek to
eliminate every selfish desire you struggle with and identify any
fear that keeps you from humility. Understand this gift of humility
and live it. Only then will you be truly blessed.
My humble Lord, You set for us the perfect example of love when
You chose to serve Your disciples with great humility. Help me to
understand this beautiful virtue and to live it. Free me from all
selfishness and fear so that I may love others as You have loved us
all. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Benvenuto Tisi, Public domain, via Wikimedia
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