Wash my Feet – Reflection on John 13:1-15
Anyone who helps others has the moment of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet etched in their thoughts and prayers. Immersive Prayer is placing yourself in a scriptural scene or a holy situation and letting what is there wash over you. Immersive prayer is only ordinary imagination, not any form of biblical interpretation. Below is such an example.
Holy Thursday – Prayer of Pedilavium:
You kneeled down in front of me to wash my feet
To let me reach into the depth of Your humbleness
This from a man who could have everything
All You want in return is a shadow of Your kindness
Bless me with gifts of Your love for community
Let my tears of gratefulness join in the bowl
So I too, can humbly wash the feet in front of me
Note: Chrism Mass reflection is also available.
The Washing of the Feet by James Tissot.
(full-resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
John 13:1-15 – Scripture (NSRV Bible)
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 13:1-15 Reflection – Wash my Feet.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 13 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Wash my Feet
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Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.
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