By Father John Congdon
The days before the Passover night seemed like a whirling desert dust storm, starting with the raising of Lazarus, their friend and His, His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the joy of the crowds, the wonder of His teaching in the temple area, and the wrath of the Pharisees and Sadducees, as they plotted to entrap and arrest Him.
Perhaps word spread of their decision after they had learned of His bringing a dead man back to life, the words of Caiaphas, the high priest, that “it is better for you that one man should die, so that the whole nation may not perish” (John 11:50). Word was out that “if anyone knew where [Jesus, the Nazarene] was, he should inform them, so that they might arrest Him” (John 11:57).
It was the night before the day, the day when He would die for them, for us. They were at supper, but they didn’t realize or accept yet that it was His Last Supper. He knew He had so much still to tell them, so much they needed to know, so much He wanted them to know since they were to be the bearers of His message and purpose, bearers of His very self into a broken and violent world that would need the truth, His Truth.
As they ate the Passover meal together — a meal for celebrating freedom and love for the disciples — a shadow hung over them of sorrow and fear. Maybe, at first, only Peter noticed what Jesus was doing as He tied the towel around His waste and came to Simon Peter with basin and water to wash his feet.
“Master, what are you doing? Are you going to wash my feet?” (John 13:6)
They had discussed who was His favorite, who was the real leader of this curious band. They had bickered and argued about their importance to the mission, and now, as He went to them, one by one, even to Judas, and washed their feet, teaching as He washed, about “being clean…but not all of you,” (John 13:10-11) they sat stunned, silent; He had their attention!
“Do you realize what I have done for you?… I have washed your feet… You ought to wash one another’s feet… As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.”
Do you — do we — realize what He has done for us?
On Holy Thursday, that holy night, we began together to walk again, to live again, these three days, through ancient and wonderful rituals, praying that whether it is the first time (as it is for some of you) or the 50th time (as it is for some of you) — praying that this year we might realize what He has done for us, for you, for me.
Because, when we realize what He has done for us, when we hear and joyfully obey His words, “what I have done for you, you must do for others,” then we do it ourselves, for others, any and all others.
“I have washed your feet…you ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14).
“As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (John 13:34).
Do we realize what He has done for us?
Father John Congdon is a convert to the Catholic faith. Formerly an Episcopal priest, Fr. John was ordained for the Diocese of Fresno in December 2000 and has served as a U.S. Army/National Guard Reserve chaplain, a hospice chaplain, and high school religion teacher. Currently, he is the Pastoral Associate at the Shrine of St. Therese, Fresno, CA.
