Today’s Gospel is a continuation of yesterday’s Gospel. Jesus realizes that His time on this earth is very limited. He needs to prepare the disciples for His departure. Jesus wants His disciples to continue His ministry. He desires that they serve one another, even if it means washing each other’s dirty, dusty feet. They are to do what Jesus has done. Jesus taught them, served them and loved them deeply! Now the disciples are to love, serve, teach and wash the other’s feet! Their call is to continue Jesus’ ministry.
Jesus clearly emphasizes the importance of serving others. He tells them: “Whoever receives the one I send receives me and they also receive the One who sent me!” Yes, Jesus wants His disciples to love God and one another. However, they also are to love each person they meet, even if they do not particularly like that individual. They are to love and serve everyone, just as Jesus did. No one is to be excluded from their service and their love.
What a challenge this is for us. It can be very tempting to pick and choose the people we want to help or serve. The reality is we naturally feel more comfortable with our friends and people we like. However, if we truly desire to follow Jesus, we also need to reach out to every individual who needs care, attention, patience and support. When we care for others, in a sense we may be “washing their feet.” Jesus does not want us to exclude anyone. What a challenge that can be!
Today, may we reach out to someone we normally do not interact with. It simply may be stopping and having a brief conversation with this individual. Or it may be  letting  them know you are thinking of them and also praying for them! There are many ways to “wash another’s feet.” How will we do that today?

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