John 13:1–15 
It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was.

They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, and he got up from table, removed his outer garment, and, taking a towel, wrapped it around his waist; he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus answered, “At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“Never!” said Peter. “You shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus replied, “If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.”
“Then, Lord,” said Simon Peter, “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!”

Jesus said, “No one who has taken a bath needs washing, he is clean all over. You too are clean, though not all of you are.” He knew who was going to betray him, that was why he said, “though not all of you are.”

When he had washed their feet and put on his clothes again he went back to the table. “Do you understand,” he said, “what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.”

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Reflection:
This is the night of love poured out.

You may feel the weight of the days behind you. You may feel tired. Unready. Maybe even unsure of how to enter what is unfolding now.

Jesus knows. And He meets you here, gently.

He kneels before His friends—not just to serve, but to cleanse. To invite them into a love that is not about status or performance, but about presence. Humility. Communion.

He says to Peter, “Unless I wash you, you can have no part with me.” That word is for you, too.

Let Him wash you.

Let Him draw close to whatever you’re tempted to hide—the weariness, the regrets, the guarded places of your heart. This isn’t about what you’ve done or failed to do. It’s about letting Him love you now.

Abba Theodore once said,

“Many are quick to speak of love, but few know how to be washed in it.”
(Sayings of the Desert Fathers)

But the Gospel doesn’t stop with being washed. Jesus doesn’t just cleanse. He commissions.

“If I, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you must wash each other’s feet.”

This is not metaphorical. It is the shape of love.

To wash another’s feet means to draw near to their humanity. Their weakness. Their wounds. It means being willing to stoop—not to be lesser, but to love more.

This may look like offering forgiveness that hasn’t been asked for.
Or listening without fixing.
It may mean remaining present to someone difficult.
Or showing kindness when your heart feels dry.

To wash another’s feet may mean serving in ways no one sees, giving when it costs, or holding silence when words would only wound.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux wrote,

“Jesus does not demand great actions from us, but simply surrender and gratitude.”
(Manuscript B)

Tonight is not just about service. It’s about surrender. Allowing yourself to be loved by the One who empties Himself entirely—and then going out to love as He has loved you.

Let that love meet you where you are. And then… ask:

Whose feet am I being asked to wash?
Where in your life is Christ inviting you to kneel—not in shame, but in love?

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Reflection Questions:
1. Where do I resist the Lord’s tenderness—His desire to serve me?
2. Is there a part of me that still wants to earn His love, instead of receiving it?
3. Who in my life might need to be served, forgiven, or simply loved today?

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Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus,
You chose to wash what we often hide.
You loved with humility and poured Yourself out completely.
Wash me, Lord.
Let me receive Your love.
And give me the grace to kneel,
wherever love calls me to go.
Amen.