Maundy Thursday – 6th April 2023 — Gospel: Jn 13,1-15
Prophetic Gesture of Love
The English word ‘Maundy’ comes from the Latin ‘Mandatum’ meaning command. Today is called Maundy Thursday because the Church celebrates the ‘love’ command that Jesus gave on this day. In bending down to wash the feet of the disciples, Jesus, the Lord and Master, brings together all that he was, all that he is, and all that he does. It is this spirit of love and service which is to be the outstanding characteristic of the Christian disciple.
In washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus manifests his prophetic gesture. Although many interpret this gesture as an action of a slave, John, the evangelist, makes it clear that Jesus’ washing the feet was not before the meal as slaves would do but does during the meal. Jesus washes his disciples’ feet knowing that Judas is going to betray him, Peter is going to deny him, and all others will escape from the situation. This is prophetic about the gesture. First, it was done after the meal had began, something totally unexpected. Second, Jesus could wash the feet of the betrayer, denier and run away’s. This broadmindedness of Jesus to look at the disciples with the eyes, the heart, the mind, of love that made the difference. He was loving, forgiving and accepting his disciples in spite of their human frailties. He lived till the end the true meaning of the ‘Love’ command.
