John 13: 1-15 is a story that is mostly read during Holy Week and Easter, but it impacts our lives daily.
The story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples is a challenge for us to rediscover our humanity. We have got to rediscover one another. We have got to realize the value of others. We have got to realize our need for others. The problem is that we think others do not matter, but as John Donne rightly said, “No man is an island.” We depend on one another. We need one another!
Our humanity is not even in the race that we are born in or under! Before we are white, black, brown or whatever colour, we are first and foremost human beings.
Before we are a Jew, Christian or Muslim or whatever religion we are first and foremost human beings. Our humanity is not in our religion. Our humanity is primarily in our being human beings.
Sad it is that the disciples of Jesus failed to understand this. Perhaps every one of them felt more important than others, thus, none of them imagined washing another person’s feet. Everyone felt they were the ones to be served by others.
Jesus said to them, ‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you have a love for one another.’
Let us choose to be humble and to love as Jesus has loved us.
