Gospel Reading of the Day
John, Chapter 13, verses 1 to 15
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| JESUS WASHING HIS DISCIPLES' FEET. Image from stpaulcathedral.blogspot.com |
So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Master, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later. Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you will never have no inheritance with me." Simon Peter said, "Master, then, not only my feet, but my hands and head as well. Jesus said to him, "Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all." For he knew who would betray him for this reason, he said, "Not all of you are clean."
So when he had washed their feet and put on his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, "Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me 'teacher' and 'master,' and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do." [2b-15]
The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
Sharing for the Day
"Wash one another's feet." First of all, there are controversies involved in explaining and understanding this command especially in terms of gender equality issues. The washing of feet has been instituted as part of the Holy, more popularly called Maundy [from Mandatum novum do nobis], Thursday and by tradition only men are selected for this ritual washing. However, the liturgical and theological significance of this ritual washing on Holy Thursday is its proper connection to the Institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Orders.
We will not be discussing here the ritual washing of Holy Thursday, nor shall we be we proposing that the command be explained in any other way that is inconsistent with the traditional understanding especially with regards to its theological, liturgical, and sacramental significance as taught by the Church.
We discuss about washing each other's feet here in its relation to the command of the Lord to love one another [see John 13: 34-35, 15: 12-17], on its practical and perhaps pastoral application, leaving the theological, liturgical and ritual discussion behind without disregarding them. He told the Apostles that what He did was to set an example for them to follow [see John 13:14]. It is a very significant application of our obedience to the command to love one another. Such connection may also be related to what the Lord said about how one can be a true friend to another: by offering one's life for the other person. If as a friend one is expected to offer His life for another person, how much more the washing of that person's feet? Of course washing each other's feet does not necessarily have to be the actual washing of each other's feet as it is not necessary that a person should die for a friend if there is no need [scroll towards the last part] for it [it's suicide and a sin]. What we must perform is to care for one another by fulfilling the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, for example, and more.
Important thing is that we do not take the washing of each other's feet literally - both in relation to its theological, liturgical and ritual significance and in its practical and, in some measure, pastoral application. We should reflect on its as the Lord's challenge for us to really apply the command to love one another in a practical manner. Love is an abstract thing; an ideal that some people today do not really understand except in relation to some carnal desire. By applying the command to love one another in in its proper material perspective, we may focus first on the corporal works of mercy, then the spiritual ones. Through this we can move closer to the actualization of love in our lives, and become love ourselves as one way of conforming to the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ which is the fullness and truest expression of being a Christian.
"Wash one another's feet." We really have to wash each other's feet if we are true disciples and friends of the Lord Jesus Christ. Moreover, it is how the world will know that we are the Lord's disciples [see John 13:35]. Unless we are ready to wash each other's feet, we cannot fully obey the command to love one another as He loved us for as we have mentioned in an earlier entry, when He said that one can only be a true friend by offering one's life for another [see John 15:13], He extended His arms, let Himself be crucified and died upon the cross.
We discuss about washing each other's feet here in its relation to the command of the Lord to love one another [see John 13: 34-35, 15: 12-17], on its practical and perhaps pastoral application, leaving the theological, liturgical and ritual discussion behind without disregarding them. He told the Apostles that what He did was to set an example for them to follow [see John 13:14]. It is a very significant application of our obedience to the command to love one another. Such connection may also be related to what the Lord said about how one can be a true friend to another: by offering one's life for the other person. If as a friend one is expected to offer His life for another person, how much more the washing of that person's feet? Of course washing each other's feet does not necessarily have to be the actual washing of each other's feet as it is not necessary that a person should die for a friend if there is no need [scroll towards the last part] for it [it's suicide and a sin]. What we must perform is to care for one another by fulfilling the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, for example, and more.
Important thing is that we do not take the washing of each other's feet literally - both in relation to its theological, liturgical and ritual significance and in its practical and, in some measure, pastoral application. We should reflect on its as the Lord's challenge for us to really apply the command to love one another in a practical manner. Love is an abstract thing; an ideal that some people today do not really understand except in relation to some carnal desire. By applying the command to love one another in in its proper material perspective, we may focus first on the corporal works of mercy, then the spiritual ones. Through this we can move closer to the actualization of love in our lives, and become love ourselves as one way of conforming to the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ which is the fullness and truest expression of being a Christian.
"Wash one another's feet." We really have to wash each other's feet if we are true disciples and friends of the Lord Jesus Christ. Moreover, it is how the world will know that we are the Lord's disciples [see John 13:35]. Unless we are ready to wash each other's feet, we cannot fully obey the command to love one another as He loved us for as we have mentioned in an earlier entry, when He said that one can only be a true friend by offering one's life for another [see John 15:13], He extended His arms, let Himself be crucified and died upon the cross.
Application of the Message
[1] Prayer
Pray for the courage to wash another's feet.
[2] Abstinence
Abstain from something that hinders you from washing someone else's feet.
[3] Almsgiving
What can you share so that you may inspire someone to wash someone else's feet?
What can you share so that you may inspire someone to wash someone else's feet?
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