Holy Thursday

Descending to Feet

The Last Supper picture of Jesus washing feet describes the process of incarnation, of spirit becoming flesh.

Jesus is aware "that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God" (John 13:2). This is his interior God-consciousness, in common with God and ready, in his very next action, to manifest God in whatever he does. All things are in his hands. He takes off his outer garment to reveal the inner self and, behold, he wraps a towel around his waist. The one whom the disciples know as Lord and Teacher is, in truth, a servant. Then he pours water into a basin. "Pouring" is how Spirit feels as it becomes flesh. It flows, coming from the inside to the outside. Then Jesus completes the action by washing and drying his disciple's feet. In other words, he refreshes their feet so that they might continue the journey of life.

What Jesus does, we can also do. We can share in his incarnation dynamics. First, we must realize that we are in communion with God and commissioned to manifest God's love in everything we do. Second, we must choose acts that have this revelatory potential, acts that get people back on the path to living the gospel. third, we must do in the flesh what we have conceived in the Spirit.

This may sound like drudgery and sacrifice, but it is not. Once you know you are a spiritual being becoming flesh through special acts of service, you will have found the joy that cannot be taken from you.

Daybreaks, Daily Reflections for Lent and Easter
by John Shea

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Thanks be to God!