A time of Lexio devena for the discerning heart.

Holy Thursday

As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.

For the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

Say slowly from your heart, Jesus, I trust be heard deep within your heart.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John, chapter 13, verses 1 through 15.

It was before the festival of Passover,

and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father.

He had always loved those who were his in the world,

but now he showed how perfect his love was.

They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Ascariot's son of Simon to betray him.

Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God

and was returning to God, and he got up from table, removed his outer garment, and, taking

a towel, wrapped it around his waist.

He then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them

with the towel he was wearing.

He came to Simon Peter who said to him, Lord, are you going to wash my feet?

Jesus answered, at the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.

Never, said Peter, you shall never wash my feet. Jesus replied, if I do not wash you, you can have nothing

in common with me. Then Lord, said Simon Peter, not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well.

Jesus said, no one who has taken a bath needs washing, he is clean all over.

You too are clean, though not all of you are.

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