Introduction
This Rosary reflection contains selected verses of the story of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper.
The Gospel Account
Jesus rose from the supper table, without being asked or told, put on a towel, to wash their feet. At the time, washing feet was a slave’s job, not the master’s job. Jesus reversed the expectations of his followers to give them an example of what it means to serve.
The “Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet” Reflection contains an excerpt of the Gospel story. The exchange with Peter is not included.
The Five Decades
When you pray the five decades of this Rosary Reflection, use these five moments from the Gospel story. Read the Gospel verses for each decade and let the words sink in as you pray that decade.
First Decade: Jesus Interrupts Supper (John 13:3-4)
So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was going to God, Jesus rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist.
Second Decade: Jesus Washes the Disciple’s Feet (John 13:5)
Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and and dry them with the towel around his waist.
Third Decade: Jesus’ Question (John 13:12)
So when he had washed their feet [and] put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?”
Fourth Decade: Wash One Another’s Feet (John 13:13)
“You call me ‘teacher’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.”
Fifth Decade: The Model to Follow: Jesus (John 13:15)
“I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
What to Remember
These Gospel verses reflect the attitude that Jesus had – that of a servant, the one who puts others before himself.
As a follower of Jesus, and a child of God, you have the privilege of allowing Jesus to wash your feet through other people, and to follow Jesus’ example to wash the feet of others. As you pray this rosary reflection, ask Mary to help you adopt a servant’s heart and others ahead of yourself when they need your love and support.
What to Pray For
- For the humility to let God wash your feet, to serve you, through the loving actions of other people.
- For those who lead liturgy teams.
- For the grace of the Holy Spirit to continually enlighten and empower the Church to serve the needs of the poor.
- For all who feel like outcasts, strangers, unwanted, or outsiders, will receive the love and support of Jesus’ disciples.
Feel free to pray the rosary using these Scripture verses for a deeper compassion to serve others.
When This Gospel Appears
This Gospel account is proclaimed during the Holy Thursday Mass for Cycles, A, B, and C of the Lectionary. The latest appearance is April 14, 2022.
* Scripture passages are from the United Conference of Catholic Bishops website, https://usccb.org/bible
