In the midst of Judaism’s most sacred Passover celebration, Rabbi Jesus turns the tables on social propriety and washes the feet of his chosen disciples, who would betray, deny and desert him a few short hours later! Ancient patriarchal culture, as well as our own upwardly mobile culture, commands honour and respect according to established hierarchies of power, prestige and privilege. But in God’s radical new world, the human dignity of people without social status commands equal respect and honour.
Jesus incarnates God’s self-giving love, and Jesus commands God’s self-giving love within and among his disciples. Jesus teaches his disciples that fulfillment of our God-given humanity is found in mutual hospitality, exemplified by his washing of their feet and rooted in communal worship, exemplified by his last Passover supper: “If you know these things,” Jesus promises, “you are blessed if you do them.” (verse 17)
In the church’s worship liturgy around God’s Word and Sacraments, Jesus’ disciples learn to follow the example set by our Teacher and Lord, the divine source and infinite power of God’s self-giving love, as well as our own.
Stir up your love within and among us, O God, that we may build a civil society in which all your children may grow in the human dignity of mutual respect and honour. Amen. — PL