From the Gospel according to John 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.”
Today, on Holy Thursday, Jesus shows us that to love “to the end” means choosing to love our spouse every day, even when it’s difficult. In married life, washing feet means embracing the weaknesses of one’s husband or wife without judging, serving without measuring, loving in silence. Caring for the small details, those that sustain everyday love.
But in marriage, love is not only about giving; it is also about letting oneself be loved with humility. Like Peter, we sometimes resist being loved, but the Lord also invites us to receive. Mutual service purifies the heart and renews the covenant each day.
We are called to discover the face of Christ in our spouse and to learn to love as He does, making our lives a constant gift to one another, even when the other has dirty feet.
It’s 9:30 at night, and the children are already in bed.
Jeff (arrives from work and drops onto the couch): I can’t go on, it’s been a horrible day.
Mary (from the kitchen): I haven’t stopped all day either.
(tense silence)
Mary (sighs, walks over to Jeff): Hey… do you want me to make you something for dinner?
Jeff (looks at her, surprised): Really? But you’re just tired too.
Mary: Yes, but today I want to take care of you.
Jeff (sits up): Then let’s have dinner together, and I’ll clean up afterward.
Mary (smiling): Deal.
Jeff: Sometimes we forget that serving is the simplest way of saying “I love you.”
Mary: Yes. That’s what the Lord teaches us: to serve, to welcome, to heal, to give ourselves, to wash feet. I want to imitate Him.
Jeff: Me too. But we can’t do it alone, we need Him.
Teach us to love through small acts of service. Blessed be your precious Son, the servant of all.
