John 13
Today’s gospel passage is a part of the washing of the feet at the Last Supper. Christ himself shows the example of a servant by washing his disciples' feet. But it was not a stunt. It was a genuine expression of his love. And it was to fulfill the words of the prophet Isaiah that the Saviour would be the suffering servant to redeem the sins of all. Jesus served his disciples by washing their feet and feeding them with his flesh and blood at the Supper. And he gave himself as the sacrifice the next day on the cross for the forgiveness of sin. In all this, there is no hint of pride, self-righteousness, self-gratification, or self-glorification.
In today’s gospel, Jesus calls us to be his servants. But this is not in the sense that we become his slaves for his benefit because God does not need any help from his creation. But it is in the sense that we become servants like him for one another and the world because we still need to heal one another by forgiveness and sacrifice. In a word, to be the servants of Christ means to love and sacrifice as Christ does. This is his message we are to deliver – to love and sacrifice for one another.
This pandemic allows us to examine ourselves if we have been faithful servants and messengers of Christ. And it also becomes an opportunity that we can be Christ’s servants and messengers. The real threat of infection and death makes our decisions ever more conscious and cautious. And we have to follow certain principles and values in decision making. However, as always, Satan is not at rest. He suggests attractive alternatives to Christ’s crucifix: money, convenience, comfort, egoism, conceit, vanity, and so on. I hope that all of us rather choose the humility of Christ Jesus so that we may heal one another and renew our Christian society.
