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Gospel Reading for April 02, 2026 – John 13: 1-15
LEGACY
Holy Thursday-Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
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.”
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During biblical times, the washing of feet was a well-known custom in Jewish society. Because people wore sandals on dusty roads, guests entering a home were offered a basin of water to wash their feet, or a low-ranking servant would do it for them as a sign of welcome and respect.
So when Jesus offered to wash the feet of his disciples, their feet were surely very dirty. Yet in doing so, he made himself their servant. This was his way of teaching them the meaning of humble service.
He knew that this would be his last supper with them, bringing to a close three years of ministry. He desired to leave them a LEGACY—something that would surpass even the end of time: Love. Love cannot be anything but humble. In fact, one cannot truly claim to love if humility does not accompany it.
As St. Paul beautifully writes in his first letter to the Corinthians(1 Cor. 13:1–13), the very nature of Love is marked by humility—it is patient, kind, not self-seeking, and not proud.
Lord Jesus, teach us your humble ways, that we may truly become your servants!
