Speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. (Ephesians 4:15)

Today's reflection is by 

Thea Keith-Lucas, Episcopal Chaplain at MIT

When we were babies, we discovered who we are by observing others. Did they smile when they looked at us? Did they laugh when we laughed? Did they help us when we cried? As we move into adulthood, we feel more independent, but we still constantly respond to the words and the body language of the people we encounter. We still find our identities in the web of our relationships.

Peter comes into that meal in the upper room with a clear sense of who is: a disciple of Jesus, the promised Messiah. But for Peter to be the disciple, Jesus must behave like the teacher. If Jesus behaves like a slave and washes people’s feet, then who is Peter now? We hear the depth of Peter’s identity struggle in his vehement and confused response: “You will never wash my feet!” and then barely seconds later, “Not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

We look down and see Jesus, kneeling before us to cradle our dusty, beat-up feet and gently wash them clean. We look down, to see him looking up at us with eyes that see clearly and with absolute love. We look down to see our truest selves, reflected there in our Savior’s gentle gaze.