Sally and Sam decided to go to the movies. As they looked at the marquee they saw that there was an adventure movie playing and also a romantic love story. Which movie do you think Sally wanted to watch? What about Sam?
Today the Church is taking us to the movies, and we will stay in the theatre for four days! Is it an adventure story or a love story? Sam will be happy to know that it is the greatest adventure story ever written, but underneath, it is basically the love story to top all love stories.
Sally will be happy to know that the opening scene is a love feast—Jesus and his small band of disciples sit at table to celebrate the Passover meal (John 13:1-15). The story begins this way:
“(Jesus) loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.”
We are about to begin a story about how Jesus loved his “own,” with an eternal love—“he loved them to the end.” All that follows is an unfolding of Jesus showing his love. He knew this was his last chance to meet with the group, so he planned the details carefully.
What would he do? Would he work a final miracle, be transfigured again, give a reminder lesson on the beatitudes? Nothing so dramatic. Instead he pretended he was a lowly servant and washed the feet of this chosen group. This is how he began acting out his love story.
“ (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.” Can we imagine the look of confusion and even embarrassment on the faces of these men, as Jesus began to perform a most intimate and tender act of affection.
Peter was too uncomfortable with this kind of intimacy. He joined Jesus because he expected adventure, and he was not disappointed. But, now, the tone changes. Jesus reveals that his whole mission was part of a great love story, and now the moment of the “embrace-scene”.
Peter said: “Master, are you going to wash my feet? You will never wash my feet.” This “brave” man could handle demons being exorcised, water being walked upon, storms being calmed, but now Jesus was taking it too far: washing feet? What kind of Messiah was Jesus? He was not the strong, powerful leader that Peter wanted him to be.
We know that when Jesus told him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me,” Peter relented, but in a typically dramatic, “look-at-me” fashion.
Then Jesus dropped a bigger bomb. “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…”
What! You’ve gotta be kidding, Jesus! They swallowed their pride and conceded to Jesus washing their feet, but this part about washing one another’s feet was just too much—especially for a group of men who had just been arguing over which of them was the greatest. Jesus is telling them that their primary mission was to show the tender love of God to one another and the rest of the disciples. (Is Sam about ready to walk out of the movie?)
Oh, I forgot to tell you, that we are not just watching this movie, we, ourselves, are in the movie. It is not just about Peter and the others; it is about us, today. Jesus is gathering each of us around his table so he can show love for us. It is not just a ceremony; it is an act of dramatic love. Can we handle it? Will we enter the upper room today, quiet ourselves, watch Jesus, and allow him to show his deep love for each of us? Will we be part of the story or will we keep at a safe distance, maybe looking through the window.
When we begin our prayer time, and when we walk into Church these days, let’s sit down and wonder how Jesus is going to show his personal love for us. Let’s absorb the fullness of love that God is pouring out on us during this holiest of weeks. Let’s be like John and Mary and stick with the story all the way to the crucifixion—the exclamation point of God’s love for each of us.
“I give you a new commandment, says the Lord: love one another, as I have loved you” (John 13:34).
