Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already decided that Judas son of Simon Iscariot would betray Jesus. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from supper, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” John 13:1-11
Questions for Reflection:
With this story guiding your heart and mind to the heart and mind of Christ, what does it share with you about who Christ is (attributes, actions and promises)?
With this story guiding your heart and mind to the heart and mind of Christ, what does it share with you about who you are or could be (identify sins or virtues)?
With this story guiding your heart and mind to the heart and mind of Christ, what does it prompt you to confess?
With this story guiding your heart and mind to the heart and mind of Christ, how does it prompt you to pray (for yourself and for others)?
Prayer for Week 1 of Lent:
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are burdened by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Invitation to Fasting:
The season of Lent was formally acknowledged by the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, but Christians have been participating in the habit of fasting during the pre-Easter season for the centuries preceding Nicea as well. Fasting is the practice of abstaining from food and in many cases other regular habits as well, like screens, alcohol, etc. There are 46 days from Ash Wednesday to Resurrection Sunday. Christians historically chose not to fast on Sundays as each Sunday is considered a celebration of the resurrection so fasting was unnecessary. Excluding Sundays, the fast from Ash Wednesday to Resurrection Sunday totals 40 days. One of the reasons Christians fast during the 40 days of Lent is because that’s the very thing Jesus did. While being tempted by the devil in the wilderness “Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights and afterwards he was famished.” As we walk through the season of Lent together in 2026 we’d like to invite you to imitate Christ and join Christians throughout the centuries in the practice of fasting. What is it you’ll fast from this year for Lent?
