On this Holy Thursday we hear  John's account of the Last Supper. . At the end of the Seder meal, Jesus does something unexpected. He gets up from the table and takes off His outer robe and pours water into a basin. Then He kneels down and one by one, He washes the dirty and dusty feet of His disciples. When Jesus comes to Peter, Peter protests. He asks Jesus: “Do you truly intend to wash my feet?” Jesus’ response must have confused Peter. Jesus tells him that if he does not wash his feet, Peter will never have an inheritance with him. What a shock this must have been to Peter! Did Peter wonder what having his feet washed had to do with his inheritance?

In the past few years, we have experienced this reality happening in our world. Pope Francis striving  to follow in Jesus’ footsteps broke  the long-standing tradition of previous Popes who only had men participate in the foot washing on Holy Thursday. In 2013, Pope Francis travelled to a juvenile detention centre to wash the feet of 12 young people. He shocked many more people by including two women and two Muslims in this ritual. In 2014, Pope Francis travelled to a care centre for the elderly and disabled  and he then, issued a decree that stated women and girls should be included in the foot-washing ceremony, not just men and boys.

What a sacred example of how we also have the opportunity to share Jesus’ love, concern and care for each and every person. On  this Holy Thursday, how will we manifest Jesus’ love, concern and care for each person we meet? While we may not literally wash someone's feet, we can take the time to talk with someone who is lonely, help a neighbour, spend time at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter, or call a friend or relative who might need some cheering up.

The themes of Holy Thursday are love and service. Jesus was the true embodiment of both love and service. Today may we be mindful of sharing one small act of love as we celebrate the great gift of love that Jesus was and is!

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