.From "The Sacrament of Servanthood"
.
So what's up with the footwashing? One commentary I read reaches this conclusion: "Jesus was showing us that we are all equal when we gather around the table of the Lord. If the Creator could wash the feet of the created, should not the creatures wash the feet of one another in equality? And if Jesus saw himself in his creatures, shouldn't we see him in each other?"
.
Does that mean we're supposed to REALLY wash each other's feet? Well, let's look again at our criteria for primary sacraments in the church: We do it because Jesus told us to. ("given by Christ to His Church" in the loftier words of the catechism)
.
Baptism in Matthew 28: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
.
Eucharist in Luke 22: And he took bread and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them saying, "This is my body which is given for you. DO THIS in remembrance of me.
.
And in Footwashing in today's gospel: John 13: So, then, if I -- your Lord and teacher -- have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done to you.
.
Could it be that part of the reason the "kingdom" hasn't come yet is that the church missed the boat on what Jesus intended to be another primary sacrament "given by Christ to his Church": the sacrament of servanthood? Sadly, examples are all too easy to find -- such as the newspaper article about a church edict forbidding women and children to participate in ceremonial foot washings on Maundy Thursday. It declared that the act of foot washing was symbolic of Jesus choosing an all male priesthood -- therefore the ceremony would consist of twelve men from any congregation -- no women and no children.
.
Can you imagine our Lord saying to his disciples gathered on the night before he was handed over to suffering and death: “A new commandment I give you: exclude women and children.” I can’t imagine that – instead I imagine Jesus reading that news report, shaking his head in discouragement and saying, “What part of love one another don’t you understand?”
.
The priesthood of all the faithful: that’s the calling we ALL gather on Maundy Thursday to celebrate as we share with each other the bread and wine made holy. The priesthood of all the faithful -- ALL the beloved people of God: not just the ones with white plastic around their necks and seminary degrees hanging on their walls. Can we – in this "out-of-the-ordinary" week – dare to claim that extraordinary calling? Can we – each and very one of us – believe that God will give us the grace to obey this New Commandment if we will but ask – if we will but follow the One who calls us to walk in love as He loved us and gave Himself for us.
2 comments:
I think that footwashing embodies many of the same realities as any celebration of the Eucharist. Servant ministry, self-giving love, etc. Footwashing makes it more difficult to suppress or deny these aspects of every Eucharist.
Another beautiful, heartfelt, Maundy Service. It is always wondeful to sit to someone, who has experienced this most sacred love that Jesus left us with and or for us. And it is a good and right thing to look into the eyes of the one washing your feet and the feet you are washing, see the face of Jesus, feel the love of Jesus, and to follow Jesus. Blessings to all, as we approach the end of Holy week and get ready to welcome the Risen Christ. This is my first year out of 53 to hold vigil in the church. I look forward to my 9 a.m. - 12 p.m Friday and Sat. vigil, a great way to pray in silence, to be still, to meditate, to read, to share on the hour, to feel the love, to reflect, to remember our loved ones who are passed or the ones far away.
Post a Comment