Author: Alan Mathew

Scripture: John 13:1–15

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
13 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. 2 The devil had already decided[a] that Judas son of Simon Iscariot would betray Jesus. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from supper, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 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. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet,[b] but is entirely clean. And you[c] are clean, though not all of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had reclined again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

Prayer:
Servant Christ, kneel beside us again. Wash our weary feet, cleanse our hearts, and teach us to love as You love. Amen.

Reflection:
Jesus kneels with a towel and basin—the posture of a servant, the heart of a Saviour. Maundy Thursday centres on commandment and communion: love one another as I have loved you. The table becomes a place of belonging, forgiveness, and grace. As we remember the meal and the washing, we are called not only to receive Christ’s love but to embody it in humility and service.

Scripture: Matthew 26:14–16

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

Prayer:
Merciful God, hold us in Your grace when our hearts wander. Keep us faithful, and heal what is broken within us. Amen.

Reflection:
Holy Wednesday is often called “Spy Wednesday,” remembering Judas slipping into the shadows to bargain away his Teacher. Betrayal rarely begins loudly; it begins in small compromises, quiet resentments, unspoken disappointments. This day invites honest self‑examination. Where are the places we turn from Christ in subtle ways? And where might Christ be inviting us back into truth, healing, and renewed loyalty?

Scripture: John 12:20–36

Some Greeks Wish to See Jesus
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew, then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

Jesus Speaks about His Death
27 “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say: ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people[a] to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. 34 The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah[b] remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Jesus said to them, “The light is in you[c] for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”

The Unbelief of the People
After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.

Prayer:
God of truth, steady our hearts when questions rise. Help us listen for Your voice and walk in Your light. Amen.

Reflection:
The crowds press Jesus with questions—Who are You? What do You mean? How can these things be? Holy Tuesday reminds us that faith is not the absence of questions but the courage to bring them to Christ. Jesus speaks of light that remains only for a little while. The invitation is urgent: walk in the light while you have it. Even when understanding is incomplete, trust leads us forward.

Scripture: John 12:1–8

Mary Anoints Jesus
12 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped them[a] with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it[b] so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, receive the offering of our hearts. Teach us to love You with generosity, humility, and gratitude. Amen.

Reflection:
Mary breaks open her jar of perfume and pours out everything—no calculation, no hesitation. Her act is extravagant, but so is the love of Christ. Holy Monday invites us to consider what we hold back. True devotion is not measured in efficiency but in love freely given. As Jesus moves toward the cross, Mary’s gift becomes a sign: love poured out is never wasted.