April 6, 2023
John 9: 1-41
“ Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”
It is evening and Jesus will celebrate his last supper with his closest friends. There were probably women there because we know that women accompanied as disciples, as well as men. But they are unmentioned
This Last supper celebrates the life of friendships that Jesus has shared. It takes place near the celebration of Passover a remembrance of the event when God freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is not just a retelling of the event, in the retelling. the freedom from slavery, their liberation happens again.
We too hold memories and because of their intensity, as we recall them, we feel them as if they are happening again – the birth of a child, the death of a loved one, an experience of betrayal. This ‘re-membering’ echoes moments that are etched on our psyches – our body and soul remember.
So too does a whole nation remember the intervention of God in history, when God heard their cries and liberated them.
‘All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you’
Jesus begins the meal according to Jewish custom. He stands up takes the bread, blesses God, breaks the bread and gives everyone a piece.
And then Jesus says : ‘this is my body’ this is me – giving myself to you … to the very end.
Then he takes the cup, ‘this my blood, my life’ and invites them to drink from his cup and this brings them into communion with Jesus and one another.
In this last Supper Jesus acts out the way he has lived out his life -giving of himself – even to those who might betray him.
‘All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you’
And then, Jesus washes their feet – a sign of hospitality and service.
Throughout His life, Jesus reached out to others in with gestures of welcome and acceptance.
Over this weekend where we celebrate the Life that Jesus offers to us, and to all without exception may we have the grace and goodness to offer hospitality to everyone we meet, and may we have the grace to accept the hospitality of others.
‘All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you’
John 9: 1-41
Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.
He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
The Gospel of the Lord
Meet Sister Mary McClure, SNDdeN
