There is a moment in tonight’s Gospel that almost feels – uncomfortable. At first, it sounds like humility. But if we listen more closely, it is something else. It is resistance. Because foot washing is not really about feet. It is about letting someone see you – up close. Letting someone touch the parts of your life that feel messy, hidden, even shameful.
Peter is not just protecting his dignity – he is protecting his vulnerability. And if we are honest, we do the same thing. We all have parts of our lives we would rather keep covered: our thoughts, not what we say out loud but what runs through our minds – the judgements, the grudges, envy, fantasies – the interior life we hope no one sees. Or our habits we keep going back to: impatience, gossip, drinking too much, screen time. Or our relationships – unresolved tensions – people we avoid – love we know we should give, but don’t. Or our past – old mistakes that still sting, moments we wish we could erase. Or our faith – the times we know the call of the Gospel, but we do not follow through.
And when Jesus comes close – we instinctively say, “Lord…not that part. Not there.” “You will never wash my feet.” But Jesus answers Peter – and us – very directly “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” In other words: If you do not let me love you there …you will not really know me.”
Tonight is not just about what Jesus does, it is about what we allow Him to do in us. This is the night he kneels. The night He serves. The night He gives Himself completely. And he does not just wash the clean parts. He washes everything.
Which means this: This is our night. Our night to stop pretending. Our night to stop hiding. Our night to let Him come close enough to touch what we have kept buried. Because the truth is – Jesus is not shocked by your life. He is not afraid of your past. He is not turned away by your weakness. He kneels precisely there.
And then – after washing their feet – He says something even more challenging: “As I have done for you, you should do for one another.”
So, the question becomes: Will we let ourselves be loved like that…and then love others the same way? Not from a distance. Not when it is easy. But up close. Humbly. Personally.
Tonight, Jesus takes a towel and kneels before you. Do not pull your feet away. Because if you let Him wash you – really wash you – it won’t just cleanse you – it will change you.
Six parishioners will now come forward for the foot washing – but more importantly, every one of us is invited to give some thought to the parts of our lives we would rather keep covered, our weaknesses. Do not take off your shoes – rather open up your hearts and let the Lord wash you.