Radical Selflessness!

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Acts 13: 13-25; Jn 13: 16-20

Today’s Gospel highlights Jesus’ radical selflessness. 

As the text begins, Jesus makes it categorical that ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ Hence, Jesus’ disciples cannot count themselves greater than him, and they are called to imitate the radical servanthood that the Lord exemplified in his life. The washing of feet is not a mere show-off but an act that demands a response in terms of imitation. 

Moreover, Jesus does not merely recommend foot-washing as a symbolic act but turns it into the very core of Christian discipleship. Hence, for Jesus’ disciples, finding happiness or fulfilment in discipleship depends entirely on imitating the Master’s selflessness to its letter. It is radical selflessness that determines the blessings of Christ’s disciples.

We must note that Jesus’ act of foot-washing is not just an example of humble service but also a sign of profound love. Jesus washes everyone’s feet, including those of Judas Iscariot, who would eventually betray him. Did Jesus not ask, ‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?’ (Mt 6: 32). By washing the feet of Judas and forgiving his enemies from the cross, Jesus became the very embodiment of ‘love for enemies.’

We do realize that Jesus’ radical humility and his love for enemies are indeed difficult to imitate. However, his disciples have the consolation that their Master did not ask them to do what he himself failed to practice. Instead, for this very reason, Jesus embodied every virtue that he preached. Such is the beauty of Jesus, our Lord and Master. 

Let us pray that we may resonate with Jesus in a deeper way to become what he himself was. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar