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     Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, THE LAST SUPPER, was painted on the wall of a Dominican refectory (dining room).  It portrays the moment after Jesus' announcement to the disciples that he knows he is being betrayed.  We can read of this in all four of the gospels.  In the Gospel According to John, it takes place after Jesus washes the feet of the disciples.  This would have included Judas!  But there would be another "betrayer" at the table as well - Peter!  He had resisted having his feet washed and, in today's passage, he protests that he will give his life for Jesus (eventually he would!) only to have Jesus warn him that he (Peter) will deny he even knows Jesus.

     We can look at the painting and be inspired or shocked but still be in a spectator's position!  But every time we celebrate the Eucharist, we sit down at the same table.  We all make the same promise that Peter makes and find ourselves lacking when life's pushes come to shoves!  The COVID-19 restrictions may make it impossible to commemorate the washing of the feet, but do we resist Jesus' service to us or his commands?  Indeed, for some strange reason, the lectionary omits the lines, "I give you a new commandment: love one another.  As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.  This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (vv.34-36)  Would it be more challenging to hear this than to hear, "One of you will betray me?"  

     Holy Week is a developing drama.  Can we be only "a fly on the wall"  in that painting?  We do consider ourselves Jesus' disciples, don't we?  Whose feet would we be willing to wash, and for whom would we be willing to die?  AMEN