The drama of the Last Supper is full of unforgettable action, none more so than when Jesus washes His disciples’ feet. Many artists through the years, have painted scenes from the Last Supper, and many have taken the episode of the washing of feet as their subject. This action of Jesus is a complete role reversal, to their minds. Lords and masters do not such things. Servants and slaves, yes, but not the Messiah, surely? This action speaks loudly. It shouts out. They won’t be able to forget that He did this. And that it was the last thing He taught them before He died. The whole of Jesus’ life and ministry, from the first days in Galilee to thin final night in Jerusalem. He acts with justice and does not seek to offend anyone. He is patient with His enemies. Teaching us to love our enemies is the same as asking us to wash the feet of others.
We are not being asked to do the impossible. Christianity is not about being superhuman, or making extreme moral efforts. The faith is not calling us to be something that is beyond us. It is not about moral high ground, or being better than others. Jesus calls us to be more human, not less: to be our truest selves. St. John says that Jesus loved His own right to the end. It is this persevering love to which Jesus calls us. Love calls us out of the narrow confines of our individual selves, in which we are separated from one another by our fallen humanity. In our fallen state we find ourselves unable to reach one another. This is the tragedy of the world. Pride and self-interest dominate our relationships. It is love, in the form of self-giving and humble service, which bridges the distance between us – like hands joined together.