YOU WILL NEVER WASH MY FEET

PRAYER MOMENT             

Holy Thursday, 17 April 2014

YOU WILL NEVER WASH MY FEET

Pause. Be present as Jesus washes his disciples’ feet

Reading: “Never!” said Peter, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus replied, “If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.” (John 13:1-15)

Reflection. “You will never wash my feet!” “There will never be ‘one man, one vote’ in Zimbabwe!” “There will never be democracy in South Africa!” “There will never be peace in Northern Ireland!” The list goes on. There are so many “never bes.” But they have all happened. As the climax of the Christian Passover comes upon us we realise that it is the death too of all these “nevers.” Just as Peter’s reaction was “Never” so too the world resists the new life breaking in on us through the victory of Jesus, who says, “Just as I have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet.” It was a powerful sign and Peter knew it. To touch another’s feet and wash them is break down a barrier between people and open the way to new life.

  

Prayer. Lord, as we enter these days keep us focused on your self-giving and your break through. Help us to see that this too is our way to life. Amen.

David Harold-Barry SJ