This week’s readings are focused on how we care for each other and build the kind of communities that Jesus shows us. This is following on last service’s readings about the Kingdom of God, and focusing on how we’re called to live in it.


John 13

As the feast of Passover drew near, Jesus was aware that his hour had come to depart from this world and to go to the Father. He had loved his own who were in the world, and he loved them to the end.

The devil had already put it into the mind of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. During supper, Jesus, fully aware that the Father had entrusted all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, got up from the table, removed his outer garments, and took a towel that he tied around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel wrapped around his waist.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not understand now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you will have no share with me.”  Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, then do not wash only my feet, but also my hands and my head.”

 Jesus then said, “Anyone who has bathed has no need to wash further, except for his feet, for he is clean all over. You are clean, although not every one of you is clean.”

After he had finished washing their feet and had once again put on his outer garments, he reclined at table and said to them,

“Do you understand
what I have done for you?
 You call me ‘Teacher’,
and you’re right,
for that’s what I am.
So if I have washed your feet,
you also should wash one another’s feet.
I have given you an example.
What I have done for you,
you should also do.